Arthur Schnitzel's classic play "Reigen" was the basis for this 1950 film conceived, adapted, and directed by Max Ophuls. Jacques Natanson assisted with the screenplay.
We are taken to the Vienna of the turn of the 20th century, where a master of ceremonies introduces the viewer to a series of vignettes in which each character shows his or her love to someone, who in turn reappears in a new situation with another character. Schnitzler was perhaps exploring the connection that exists among human beings, a sort of "six degrees of separation", if you will, that happens to most of us in one form, or another. The idea of life as a merry-go-round serves well the adaptation.
A star cast was gathered to play the different people that inhabit the film. Anton Walbrook, the Vienise actor, is the narrator, as well as the man that introduces us to the different situations. Simone Signoret, Serge Regianni, Simone Simon, Daniel Gelin, Danielle Darrieux, Fernand Gravey, Odette Joyeux, Jean-Louis Barrault, Isa Miranda and Gerard Philipe play the different characters with elegance and charm.
We are taken to the Vienna of the turn of the 20th century, where a master of ceremonies introduces the viewer to a series of vignettes in which each character shows his or her love to someone, who in turn reappears in a new situation with another character. Schnitzler was perhaps exploring the connection that exists among human beings, a sort of "six degrees of separation", if you will, that happens to most of us in one form, or another. The idea of life as a merry-go-round serves well the adaptation.
A star cast was gathered to play the different people that inhabit the film. Anton Walbrook, the Vienise actor, is the narrator, as well as the man that introduces us to the different situations. Simone Signoret, Serge Regianni, Simone Simon, Daniel Gelin, Danielle Darrieux, Fernand Gravey, Odette Joyeux, Jean-Louis Barrault, Isa Miranda and Gerard Philipe play the different characters with elegance and charm.