Name: Das Schiff der verlorenen Menschen (The Ship of Lost Souls) Director: Maurice Tourneur Studio: UFA (Universum Film AG) Starring: Fritz Kortner, Marlene Dietrich, Robin Irvine, Gustav Diessl Release Date: 1929 (Germany) Runtime: \~116 minutes Format: Black-and-white, silent film Country: Germany Language: Silent (German intertitles) Genres: | Drama | Adventure | Silent | Romance --- Summary: *Das Schiff der verlorenen Menschen* (1929) is a German silent drama directed by Maurice Tourneur, depicting the lives of a motley crew aboard a ship populated by criminals, outcasts, and fugitives. The story follows the complex interactions among the ship’s passengers, highlighting love, betrayal, and moral dilemmas in an isolated, lawless environment. Marlene Dietrich plays a mysterious woman whose presence stirs both desire and conflict, while Fritz Kortner portrays a morally ambiguous figure navigating authority and chaos. The film blends elements of adventure, romance, and psychological tension, creating a gripping portrait of human desperation and passion. --- Background: Directed by French filmmaker Maurice Tourneur during his work in Germany, *Das Schiff der verlorenen Menschen* reflects the late Weimar Republic’s fascination with decadent, morally complex narratives. Produced by UFA, Germany’s leading studio, the film features high production values, elaborate ship sets, and expressive cinematography typical of Tourneur’s visual style. Marlene Dietrich, still early in her career, gained recognition for her enigmatic performance, preceding her breakthrough in *The Blue Angel* (1930). The film is considered a lost or partially surviving work, with few complete prints available. --- Trivia: * Marlene Dietrich’s performance helped cement her image as a seductive and enigmatic screen presence. * Fritz Kortner was a renowned stage and film actor known for portraying intense, conflicted characters. * The film’s shipboard setting allowed for innovative use of confined spaces to heighten tension and drama. * Maurice Tourneur, an influential filmmaker in both France and Germany, was known for his mastery of visual composition and atmospheric storytelling. --- Hashtags: \#DasSchiffDerVerlorenenMenschen #MauriceTourneur #MarleneDietrich #WeimarCinema #SilentFilm #UFA #GermanCinema #ClassicFilm #1929Cinema #AdventureDrama