Veit Harlan
Veit Harlan (* September 22 1899 in Berlin; † April 13 1964 in Capri/Italy) was a German film director and actor.
After studying under Max Reinhardt, he first appeared on the threatre stage in 1915. After World War I, he appeared on the Berlin stage. In 1929, he married Hilde Koerber, having three children with her before divorcing her for politcal reasons related to the influence of National Socalism. Afterwards, he married the actress Kristina Soederbaum, for whom he wrote several tragic roles, further increasing her popularity.
During the 1930's, Harlan made several anti-semetic films. In 1937 Joseph Goebbels appointed Harlan as one of his leading propoganda directors. His most "notable" piece of this period was the film Jud Süß, starring Heinrich George, which was shown for Anti-Semetic purposes both in Germany and Austria. It recieved in 1943 UFA's highest awards.
At the end of the war Harlan was charged with particpating in the Anti-Semetic movement and aiding the Nazis. He successfully argued against the charges on the grounds that higher-ups had deliberately interfered with his art and was aquitted.
He made a few more films after the war, dying while on vacation in Capri.
Filmography
- Krach im Hinterhaus (1934)
- Kreutzersonate (1937)
- Der Herrscher (1937)
- Jugend (1938)
- Verwehte Spuren (1938)
- Das unsterbliche Herz (1939)
- Jud Süß (1940)
- Der große König (1941)
- Die goldene Stadt (1942)
- Immensee (1943)
- Opfergang (1944)
- Kolberg (1944/1945)
- Unsterbliche Geliebte (1950)
- Die blaue Stunde (1952)
- Sterne über Colombo (1953)
- Verrat an Deutschland (Der Fall Dr. Sorge) (1954)
- Anders als du und ich (1957)
- Das dritte Geschlecht (1957)