The Haunted Castle
Encyclopedia
The Haunted Castle also known as Schloß Vogelöd and Castle Vogeloed, is a silent
chamber-drama directed by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau.
, but a sweeping rain brings the pleasure to nought and they spend their time in the inward parts of the castle. Even the non-invited Count Johann Oetsch appears. He gets eschewed by other partakers of the hunt since he is reputed to have shot his own brother, Peter
, a few years ago. This rumour gets nourished by a retired Judge of the District Court.
The widow of the brother, the remarried Baroness Safferstätt
, is also expected – which makes the situation unpleasant for the host. Count Oetsch neclects this matter and remains. The Baroness is affrighted by their coming and determined to depart again. The report of the coming of Father Faramund, allied with her former husband, is kept back by her; she will make confession unto him.
In the following days, Oetsch and the Baroness – and the Baron – accuse one another of the murder of the brother of the Count. At the same time, in flashbacks, follows a confession in stages of the Baroness, that her marriage was anything but harmonious. Her husband became more and more interested in spiritual things than in her, so that she, in the presence of Baron Safferstätt
, a friend of her husband, had wished for someting "evil" – which in turn had falsely interpreted it and thereafter shot her husband. This common trespass had finally let her and the Baron be married, without something else to feel for each other than emptiness.
The Father takes his false beard and his wig off, revealing himself as Count Oetsch who now can justify his innocence. Baron Safferstätt shoots himself. The true Father Faramund comes to the castle.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
chamber-drama directed by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau.
Plot summary
A company of men meets for a hunt lasting several days at Castle Vogelöd, hosted by Lord von VogelschreyArnold Korff
Arnold Korff was an Austrian-born Hollywood actor and director. He made his first appearance on the American stage in Denver in 1892.-References:...
, but a sweeping rain brings the pleasure to nought and they spend their time in the inward parts of the castle. Even the non-invited Count Johann Oetsch appears. He gets eschewed by other partakers of the hunt since he is reputed to have shot his own brother, Peter
Paul Hartmann
Paul Hartmann is the name of:* Paul Ernst Wilhelm Hartmann, Norwegian politician* Paul Hartmann , German actor* Paul Hartmann, founder of XENOVISION also brother of actor Phil Hartman...
, a few years ago. This rumour gets nourished by a retired Judge of the District Court.
The widow of the brother, the remarried Baroness Safferstätt
Olga Chekhova
Olga Konstantinovna Chekhova, née Knipper — 9 March 1980, Berlin, Germany) was a Russian-German actress. Her film roles include the female lead in Alfred Hitchcock's Mary .- Biography :...
, is also expected – which makes the situation unpleasant for the host. Count Oetsch neclects this matter and remains. The Baroness is affrighted by their coming and determined to depart again. The report of the coming of Father Faramund, allied with her former husband, is kept back by her; she will make confession unto him.
In the following days, Oetsch and the Baroness – and the Baron – accuse one another of the murder of the brother of the Count. At the same time, in flashbacks, follows a confession in stages of the Baroness, that her marriage was anything but harmonious. Her husband became more and more interested in spiritual things than in her, so that she, in the presence of Baron Safferstätt
Paul Bildt
Paul Hermann Bildt was a German film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1910 and 1956. He was born and died in Berlin, Germany.- Selected filmography :* Ludwig II: Glanz und Ende eines Königs...
, a friend of her husband, had wished for someting "evil" – which in turn had falsely interpreted it and thereafter shot her husband. This common trespass had finally let her and the Baron be married, without something else to feel for each other than emptiness.
The Father takes his false beard and his wig off, revealing himself as Count Oetsch who now can justify his innocence. Baron Safferstätt shoots himself. The true Father Faramund comes to the castle.
Cast
- Arnold KorffArnold KorffArnold Korff was an Austrian-born Hollywood actor and director. He made his first appearance on the American stage in Denver in 1892.-References:...
– Lord von Vogelschrey, SchloßherrLord of the ManorThe Lordship of a Manor is recognised today in England and Wales as a form of property and one of three elements of a manor that may exist separately or be combined and may be held in moieties...
of Vogelöd - Lulu Kyser-Korff – Centa von Vogelschrey, his wife
- Lothar Mehnert – Count Johann Oetsch
- Paul HartmannPaul HartmannPaul Hartmann is the name of:* Paul Ernst Wilhelm Hartmann, Norwegian politician* Paul Hartmann , German actor* Paul Hartmann, founder of XENOVISION also brother of actor Phil Hartman...
– Count Peter Oetsch - Paul BildtPaul BildtPaul Hermann Bildt was a German film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1910 and 1956. He was born and died in Berlin, Germany.- Selected filmography :* Ludwig II: Glanz und Ende eines Königs...
– Baron Safferstätt - Olga TschechowaOlga ChekhovaOlga Konstantinovna Chekhova, née Knipper — 9 March 1980, Berlin, Germany) was a Russian-German actress. Her film roles include the female lead in Alfred Hitchcock's Mary .- Biography :...
– Baroness Safferstätt - Victor Blütner – Father Faramund
- Hermann Vallentin – Judge of the District Court, retired
- Julius FalkensteinJulius FalkensteinJulius Falkenstein was a German film actor of the silent era. He appeared in 184 films between 1914 and 1933.- Selected filmography :* Die geheimnisvolle Villa * The Oyster Princess...
– Anxious gentleman - Robert LefflerRobert Leffler- Selected filmography :* The Haunted Castle * The Expulsion * Wilhelm Tell * Freies Volk * The Blackguard * The Old Fritz * Elisabeth von Österreich * Onkel Bräsig...
– Master of the householdHofmeister (office)In medieval Europe, a Hofmeister was a house tutor, also responsible for the care of his students beyond their education.... - Walter Kurt-Kuhle – Servant