Atlantis
"A Tale of Love and Destiny on the High Seas"
Plot
Dr. Friedrich von Kammacher, a successful biologist, becomes overwhelmed by personal and professional problems including his wife's mental illness and career pressures. Seeking to regain his joy of living, he embarks on an ocean voyage to America aboard the steamship Roland. During the journey, he encounters two very different women: the innocent young Angelika Mackenzie, and the worldly dancer Ingigerd Hahlstrom. When the Roland strikes an iceberg and begins sinking (a fictional precursor to the Titanic disaster), Kammacher must choose between his past and future as the ship goes down, with one of these women becoming the key to his ultimate fate.
About the Production
The film featured elaborate ship sinking sequences using miniatures and special effects that were groundbreaking for 1913. The production built large-scale sets of the ship's interiors and used innovative camera techniques to simulate the disaster. The iceberg collision scene was particularly impressive for its time, using glass and painted backdrops to create realistic effects.
Historical Background
The film was produced during the golden age of Danish cinema (1910-1914), when Denmark was one of the world's leading film-producing nations. This period saw Danish films dominating international markets before World War I disrupted the industry. The film's themes of modernity, scientific progress, and personal crisis reflected the anxieties of the pre-World War I era. The timing of its release, coming after the real Titanic disaster though based on a novel written before it, tapped into contemporary fears about technological hubris and the vulnerability of modern civilization. The film emerged during a period when cinema was transitioning from short novelty films to feature-length storytelling, with 'Atlantis' being among the pioneering works that helped establish the feature film format.
Why This Film Matters
'Atlantis' holds a crucial place in cinema history as one of the earliest feature-length disaster films and a landmark of Danish silent cinema. The film's international success helped establish the feature film as a viable commercial format and demonstrated that cinema could tackle complex literary adaptations. Its sophisticated narrative structure and visual techniques influenced the development of cinematic language in the 1910s. The film also represents an early example of cross-media adaptation, bringing a contemporary literary work to the screen. Its success paved the way for more ambitious productions in European cinema and helped establish the disaster film as a popular genre that would continue through the century.
Making Of
The production of 'Atlantis' was a massive undertaking for Nordisk Film, representing one of their most ambitious projects to date. Director August Blom worked closely with special effects technicians to create the convincing ship sinking sequences, which involved elaborate miniature work and clever camera tricks. The casting of Olaf Fønss as the lead was a significant decision, as he was already becoming one of Denmark's most popular actors. The film's international success was partly due to Nordisk Film's sophisticated distribution network, which had established offices across Europe and in the United States. The production faced challenges in creating realistic ocean scenes, ultimately using a combination of location footage, studio tanks, and matte paintings to achieve the desired effects.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Axel Graatkjær was innovative for its time, featuring dynamic camera movement and sophisticated composition. The film used multiple camera angles and varying shot lengths to create dramatic tension, particularly in the sinking sequences. Graatkjær employed innovative techniques such as tracking shots and close-ups to enhance emotional impact. The visual style combined realistic location footage with elaborate studio sets, creating a seamless visual narrative. The film's lighting techniques, particularly in the dramatic scenes aboard the sinking ship, were advanced for the period and contributed significantly to the film's atmospheric quality.
Innovations
'Atlantis' featured several groundbreaking technical achievements for 1913. The ship sinking sequence used innovative miniature photography and special effects that were remarkably convincing for the period. The film employed sophisticated editing techniques, including cross-cutting between different storylines to build tension. The production used multiple cameras simultaneously for some scenes, allowing for dynamic editing possibilities. The film's use of location shooting combined with studio work represented an advanced approach to production design. The special effects team developed new techniques for simulating water and destruction effects that influenced subsequent disaster films.
Music
As a silent film, 'Atlantis' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The score would typically have been performed by a theater organist or small orchestra, using compiled classical pieces and original compositions. The music would have been synchronized with the on-screen action, particularly during dramatic moments like the ship sinking sequence. While no original score documentation survives, contemporary accounts suggest that theaters used dramatic classical pieces, including works by Wagner and other romantic composers, to enhance the film's emotional impact.
Famous Quotes
The sea gives life, and the sea takes it away - we are but passengers on its eternal journey.
In science, we seek truth, but in love, we find our humanity.
When all that is solid melts into water, only the heart remains true.
Memorable Scenes
- The spectacular sinking sequence of the Roland, featuring innovative special effects with the ship striking an iceberg and gradually going under while passengers struggle to survive
- Dr. Kammacher's emotional breakdown in his laboratory, representing his crisis of faith in science and reason
- The tender deck scene between Kammacher and Angelika as they watch the sunset over the ocean
- The climactic choice moment as Kammacher must decide which woman to save as the ship goes down
Did You Know?
- The film was released in October 1913, just months before the actual Titanic disaster in April 1912, making its ship sinking plot eerily prophetic though it was based on Hauptmann's novel from earlier
- Based on the 1912 novel 'Atlantis' by Nobel Prize-winning author Gerhart Hauptmann
- Was one of the first Danish films to achieve major international success, helping establish Nordisk Film as a global player
- The film's running time of 95 minutes was unusually long for the period, making it one of the early feature-length films
- Star Olaf Fønss became one of Denmark's first major film stars and was later poached by German film companies
- The sinking sequence used multiple cameras and innovative editing techniques that were ahead of their time
- The film was banned in some countries for its mature themes and suggestive content
- A lost American version was produced in 1913 with different actors, but no copies survive
- The film's success led to a wave of disaster films in the 1910s
- Director August Blom was one of the pioneers of Danish cinema and made over 100 films
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics praised 'Atlantis' for its ambitious scope, technical achievements, and dramatic power. Reviews in Danish and German newspapers highlighted the film's impressive special effects, particularly the ship sinking sequence, and praised Olaf Fønss's performance. The film was noted for its psychological depth and mature treatment of complex themes. Modern film historians recognize 'Atlantis' as a significant achievement in early cinema, particularly for its role in establishing the feature film format and its innovative visual techniques. The film is often cited in scholarly works about early Danish cinema and the development of the disaster genre.
What Audiences Thought
The film was enormously popular with audiences across Europe and in the United States, becoming one of the biggest international hits of 1913. Danish audiences were proud of their country's cinematic achievement, while international viewers were impressed by the film's technical sophistication and dramatic power. The film's success at the box office helped establish Nordisk Film as a major international studio and demonstrated the commercial viability of feature-length films. Audiences were particularly drawn to the spectacular sinking sequence and the film's romantic elements, making it a word-of-mouth success in many markets.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Gerhart Hauptmann's novel 'Atlantis' (1912)
- Contemporary disaster literature
- Danish literary traditions
- German Expressionist themes
- Early 20th century scientific discourse
This Film Influenced
- Titanic films (various)
- The Last Voyage (1960)
- The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
- European disaster films of the 1910s-1920s
- Early German feature films
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Film Restoration
The film is partially preserved with some sequences missing. The Danish Film Institute holds a restored version combining existing elements, though approximately 15-20 minutes of the original footage is believed lost. The surviving elements have been restored and preserved as part of Denmark's cinematic heritage. Some international versions may exist in archives, but the complete original Danish version is not fully extant.