Via Mala (1945 film)

Via Mala is a 1945 German drama film directed by Josef von Bky and starring Karin Hardt, Carl Wery and Viktor Staal. It is an adaptation of the novel Via Mala by John Knittel. It was released in April 1945, a month before the unconditional surrender of Germany. The film is visually expressionist, something comparatively rare during the Nazi era.

John Knittels Swiss novel Vila Mala had been released in 1934 and become a major international success. The film rights were first acquired in 1941, but the period of production was lengthy and troubled. The screenplay by Thea von Harbou was first submitted to the censor onMay 1941, but was not passed untilFebruary 1942. The Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels then halted the project because it was too gloomy It was revived a year later, and in 1943 filming began at the Babelsberg Studios in Berlin and on location in Mayrhofen in Tyrol. A variety of further delays meant that the finished film was not ready until March 1944. This was still deemed unsatisfactory, and several scenes were reshot. The ending moved away from that of the novel, where all family members except Silvelie were revealed to have taken part in the murder. It was finally submitted to the censor in January 1945.The films release was also troubled. It was passed by the censors onMarch 1945, but this was rescinded only ten days later. The downbeat plot was considered unsuitable in light of the recent war situation, as German forces were being pushed back on all fronts and escapist films were preferred. It was finally agreed that the film could go on general release only outside Germany. ........

Source: Wikipedia