Undine (1912)
Part One. In the days long ago when knights were brave and venturesome, lived Lord Huldbrand of Ringstetten. The Duke's daughter, Bertalda, Huldbrand's kinswoman was the most famous beauty in that section, and Lord Huldbrand was one of the cavaliers who vainly sought to win favor in her eyes. Just beyond the Duke's domains was a gloomy stretch of woods, known as the enchanted forest. It was said to be the resort of all kinds of spirits and goblins, and travelers durst not venture there. The haughty Lady Bertalda was struck with the idea that here was a way to prove her power over her admirers. To the one who would dare to make a midnight trip through the enchanted forest she offered a bow of ribbon, fashioned by her own fair hands, which did not seem much of a prize except to the infatuated young men. At that, however, Huldbrand was the only one who dared to tempt fate. Bravely he rode through the forest, pestered and annoyed by spirits, until at last faint and exhausted, he saw the humble cottage of a fisherman, and gladly sought refuge there. The fisherman and his wife, both past middle age, were common peasants, but the girl with them, whom at first he thought was their daughter of entirely different class. She was young, beautiful and refined, and the Knight lost his heart to her at once. The peasants told him that they knew nothing about the girl except that they believed that she had been shipwrecked and seemingly half drowned she had arrived at their humble home. Lord Huldbrand's love became more and more pronounced, and in a very short time he asked her to be his bride. Then she told him her story. "Many a fisherman," she said, "has had a passing glimpse of some fair water nymph rising out of the sea with her song; he would then spread the report, and these wonderful beings became to be called Undines. And you now see before you, my love, an undine." She then went on to explain that undines have no souls, and only by marriage with human beings could they acquire them. Undine determined to be of this number, and made her appearance as an earth maiden. Other spirits had aided her and Lord Huldbrand had practically been driven by them through the enchanted forest to the fisherman's cottage. The Knight's love conquered, and he embraced the beautiful Undine, telling her that she should be his bride and that nothing else mattered. They were married, and returned through the forest together. To the surprise of the Haughty Bertalda, Lord Huldbrand returned to announce that he had fulfilled his quest, but he returned the Lady her token, saying that by his trip to the enchanted forest he had won the fairest of brides. Then the nobleman and Undine proceeded to the castle, where they hoped to live together, forever. Part Two. Many years ago, Lord Huldbrand lived in his castle on the Danube River with his beautiful bride. He knew that before his marriage she had been a water nymph, because she had confessed the fact to him. but her marriage to a man of the earth gave her a soul, and she was so sweet and charming that he tried to forget the fact. From time to time, however, it was brought back to his attention by the unexpected appearance of some of her relatives, notably one Huhlborn, an uncle who in repose was a most charming brook, but ever and anon would resolve himself into a tall, old man, who seemed full of curiosity as to how his niece was faring. It palled upon Huldbrand, and he often wished that his bride had had earthly kinsmen. Matters came to a crisis when Huldbrand's kinswoman, the charming Lady Bertalda. arrived with her father to pay Huldbrand a visit. There had been a time when Bertalda regarded Huldbrand as her chosen knight, but when she sent him into the Enchanted Forest he met Undine and forgot everyone else. So Bertalda hated Undine, although she hid her feelings under a mask of friendship. Huldbrand, again fell under the spell of Bertalda. He neglected his beautiful wife, and her to, were noted by the water nymphs, who determined to avenge her. Their chance came when Huldbrand and the two women were taking a trip on the water. The nobleman had been more than usually attentive to Bertalda and neither of them noticed that in the water surrounding their boat, were scores of hands stretched out to drag them to destruction. Undine saw them, however, and after trying vainly to induce the nymphs to depart, she sacrificed herself to save her husband, leaping overboard and sinking, supposedly to death, under the sea. Huldbrand's mourning was brief, and soon his betrothal to the beautiful Bertalda was announced. The latter was of a vengeful disposition, and remembered that the only time Huldbrand had upheld his wife was once when she wanted a fountain in the courtyard blocked up, and the nobleman permitted it to be done, despite the protests of Bertalda. Now the young woman, in her husband's absence, had the obstructions removed, and laughed as she thought that she had removed the last vestige of her former rival. The unhappy Bertalda did not know that the fountain was the only road by which the sea nymphs could get into the castle. Undine had closed the door to save her husband. Bertalda opened the way again, and through the fountain came a woman in white, weeping bitterly. Spectators drew aside in awe as she entered the banqueting room, and approached the bridegroom. They recognized Undine as she stepped to the side of Huldbrand and enfolded him in an embrace, the embrace of his death, for he fell dead at her feet. At the funeral of the unhappy knight, there was one mourner who followed the others alone, and remained after they left. It was the faithful Undine. She fell on her knees beside the tomb, her arms encircling the body. Then she faded from human sight, and a bright silvery brook appeared, and is there to this day. From that time forth villagers are said to have shown travelers this spring, and they believe it is to he the poor forsaken Undine, who continued this to twine her arms around her beloved Lord.
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GenresDrama
Romance
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Lucius Henderson | Director |
| Lloyd Lonergan | Writer |
| Friedrich de La Motte | Writer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Florence La Badie | |
| William Russell | |
| James Cruze | |
| Marguerite Snow |
