Käthe Haacke Movies

The Pedestrian (Der Fussganger) was the second filmed directorial effort of German actor Maximillian Schell. Billed third under Gustav Rudolf Sellner and Ruth Hausmeister, Schell plays Andreas Giese, a Krupp-like industrialist whose past suddenly returns to haunt him. A newspaper article reveals that Giese was responsible for the wartime destruction of a Greek village and the wholesale slaughter of the villagers. Whether or not Giese feels remorse for his actions is ultimately beside the point: his family is torn apart and his son kills himself as a result of the accusation. Here as in other films, Schell exhibits his fondness for female European film stars of days gone by: Elizabeth Bergner, Lil (Metropolis) Dagover, Francoise Rosay and Peggy Ashcroft appear in key minor roles. The winner of several international awards and a "best foreign picture" Oscar nominee, The Pedestrian was also produced and written by Schell. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this emotional melodrama, a woman is devastated to discover that her beloved has fathered the child of her closest friend. With many tears, she breaks their engagement and moves into the country where she eventually falls in love with a handsome schoolmaster. Unfortunately, this sets local tongues to wagging and, unable to bear the scandal, she leaves. Time passes and when she learns that the teacher has been horribly burned while saving someone from a fire, she returns to marry him. Unfortunately, while helping a friend's ailing child she catches diphtheria. Just before she passes on, she vows that she will love the teacher forever. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi