Backstairs | 1921 | Drama

Title: Backstairs | 1921 | Drama Director: Leopold Jessner, Paul Leni Studio: Henny-Porten-Film, Gloria-Film Starring: Henny Porten, Fritz Kortner, Wilhelm (William) Dieterle Based on: Original screenplay by Carl Mayer Release Date: December 11 1921 (Germany) Runtime: Approximately 50 minutes Format: Silent black and white, limited or no intertitles Country: Germany Language: Silent Genres: Drama Social Realism --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to the tenement and backstairs 00:10:00 Maid and lover’s daily meetings 00:20:00 Crippled postman’s secret longing 00:30:00 Interception of letters 00:40:00 Misunderstanding and emotional estrangement 00:50:00 Tragic resolution --- Summary: Backstairs (German: Hintertreppe) is a 1921 German silent drama centering on a tenement maid loved by a young handyman but secretly observed by a crippled postman living in the same building’s basement. When the postman intercepts and forges the lovers’ correspondence to console the maid, his deception leads to confusion, emotional upheaval, and tragic consequences. The film emphasizes intimate human emotions and class-driven social dynamics in a confined urban setting. --- Background: Co-directed by Leopold Jessner in his feature debut and Paul Leni, Backstairs is recognized as an early example of the German Kammerspielfilm genre, with a screenplay by Carl Mayer. It was produced amid the flourishing of Weimar cinema and is noted for its focused character study and minimalist approach to storytelling, often relying on gestures and mise-en-scène rather than intertitles. --- Trivia: Backstairs is considered a pioneering example of intimate psychological film in German silent cinema. The film was released in the United States under the title *Backstairs* after its original German premiere as *Hintertreppe*. It was written by Carl Mayer, who later co-wrote other influential Weimar films and contributed to the development of the Kammerspielfilm style. Surviving prints have been restored and released on home video formats, sometimes with English intertitles added. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: December 11 1921 Original Studio / Distributor: Henny-Porten-Film / Gloria-Film Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #Backstairs1921 #Hintertreppe #PaulLeni #LeopoldJessner #SilentFilm #GermanCinema #Kammerspielfilm #ClassicFilm #PublicDomain