Der Absturz

Three films featuring Asta Nielsen were released in 1923 and compared to the Expressionist 'Erdgeist' of Jessner and Wiene's 'INRI' in which she portrayed Lulu and Mary Magdalen, this one, written and directed by Ludwig Wolff, is by far the most naturalistic. It is melodrama through and through but elevated by Miss Nielsen's presence.

She plays a star of operetta who is at first ennobled and then debased by her love for a humble fisherman played by Gregori Chmara. The simpatico between both actors is hardly surprising as their relationship was more that just professional. Miss Nielsen runs the gamut here and exhibits her customary intensity. The concluding scenes are by far the most effective and those in which her ageing character vainly attempts to look young again for her lover who is returning from a ten year prison sentence are deeply touching.

When entering her forties, traditionally a treacherous period for screen Divas, Miss Nielsen specialised in playing 'fallen women' most notably in 'Joyless Street' for G. W. Pabst which also starred Greta Garbo. Interestingly Ludwig Wolff went on to write one of Miss Garbo's most successful films of the twenties 'Mysterious Lady'. The Super Swede was to give the Great Dane the ultimate compliment:"Everything I know I learnt from her."