Geheimnisvolle Tiefe

G. W. Pabst's second film after the end of the war, Geheimnisvolle Tiefe (aka Mysterious Shadows) is a fine showcase for the master's talents that only suffers from a lackluster script that somewhat holds the production back from greatness.

Set in a time that could be from any point in the era, although pointedly no references to the war seem to indicate that this was truly intended as escapist entertainment, the story revolves around the journey of a young bride-to-be, the lovely Ilse Werner, who is lured away from her inventor husband by the ultra-rich industrialist who desperately wants his latest invention. Unfortunately for him, the inventor, Paul Hubschmid bends towards doing things for the greater good of mankind versus making piles of money for 'I want it all' capitalists so stealing his fiance is the best the robber baron can do. Ilse's slow realization that maybe there's more to life than empty riches drives the main plot.

Where the film excels is in Pabst's mastery of visuals. Exemplary cinematography by Hans Schneeberger (a collaborator with Dr. Fanck) and Helmuth Ashley is outstanding, as is the overall mise en scene. There's a hint of those mountain movies about it although it's more under the mountain movies as the inventor's scary hobby is caving for archaeological relics. It's an interesting view into post-War German film that is really trying to break from the past while leaning into a better future.