Under the Mountains
Plot
Set in a rural Hungarian village, the film tells the story of a love triangle that develops between a young woman, her wealthy suitor, and a poor but passionate rival. The narrative explores themes of social class division and personal honor as the characters navigate their complicated relationships. When the rivalry escalates, the protagonist faces public humiliation and must overcome societal pressures to pursue true love. The dramatic conclusion unfolds against the backdrop of the imposing Hungarian mountains, which serve as both a physical and metaphorical barrier to the characters' happiness.
Director
About the Production
This film was produced during a tumultuous period in Hungarian cinema history, following the collapse of the Hungarian Soviet Republic. Many Hungarian filmmakers were fleeing the country due to political persecution, making domestic productions increasingly difficult. The film was likely shot on location in rural Hungary to capture authentic village life and mountain landscapes.
Historical Background
The year 1920 was a turning point in Hungarian history and cinema. The Treaty of Trianon had just been signed, resulting in Hungary losing two-thirds of its territory and creating profound national trauma. This political upheaval dramatically affected the film industry, which had flourished during the war years. Many Hungarian filmmakers, including Alexander Korda and Mihály Kertész (later Michael Curtiz), emigrated to Vienna and later Hollywood. The domestic industry that remained focused increasingly on films that reinforced Hungarian national identity, often set in rural landscapes and drawing on folklore. 'Under the Mountains' reflects this trend, using the mountain setting as a symbol of enduring Hungarian spirit in the face of territorial loss and political humiliation.
Why This Film Matters
As a product of early Hungarian cinema, 'Under the Mountains' represents the transitional period between the golden age of Hungarian film (1915-1919) and the more restricted era of the Horthy regime. The film's focus on rural Hungarian life and love stories set against natural landscapes was characteristic of the national romanticism that dominated Hungarian cultural production in the 1920s. These films served to reinforce a sense of Hungarian identity at a time when the nation was dealing with the trauma of territorial loss. The work of director Béla Balogh and his contemporaries laid the groundwork for later Hungarian filmmakers, even though many of these early films have been lost to time.
Making Of
The production of 'Under the Mountains' took place during one of the most challenging periods in Hungarian film history. Following the fall of the Hungarian Soviet Republic in 1919, the film industry faced severe restrictions and many talented filmmakers fled the country. Director Béla Balogh, who had established himself during the golden age of Hungarian cinema (1915-1919), chose to remain and continue making domestic productions. The casting of Iván Petrovich, who would later become an international star, suggests the film was considered a significant production despite the difficult circumstances. The mountain locations would have presented considerable logistical challenges for a 1920 production, requiring the crew to transport heavy equipment to remote areas.
Visual Style
The cinematography of 'Under the Mountains' would have employed the techniques typical of Hungarian silent films in 1920. The mountain setting suggests the use of location shooting, which was becoming more common but still logistically challenging. The film likely featured the dramatic lighting techniques popular in European cinema of the era, with strong contrasts to emphasize emotional moments. Given the rural setting, the cinematographer would have focused on capturing the Hungarian landscape as an important character in the narrative, using wide shots to establish the isolation and beauty of the mountain environment.
Innovations
While specific technical innovations in 'Under the Mountains' are not documented, Hungarian cinema of this period was known for its sophisticated visual storytelling techniques. The film likely employed the advanced editing and cinematography methods developed during the Hungarian film industry's golden years. The mountain location shooting would have required considerable technical ingenuity for 1920, including the transport of cameras and film stock to remote areas. The film may have utilized the multiple exposure techniques and complex lighting setups that Hungarian cinematographers had pioneered in the late 1910s.
Music
As a silent film, 'Under the Mountains' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. The score would likely have been compiled from existing classical pieces and popular Hungarian folk melodies, arranged to match the emotional tone of each scene. Theatres in Budapest might have employed small orchestras, while rural showings would have used a piano or organ. The music would have been particularly important during the dramatic confrontation scenes and the romantic moments, helping to convey the emotional intensity that dialogue could not express.
Memorable Scenes
- The dramatic confrontation scene in the mountain pass where the rivals face off, with the imposing peaks serving as witnesses to their conflict
- The village festival sequence showcasing traditional Hungarian customs and folk culture
Did You Know?
- Director Béla Balogh was one of the pioneering figures of Hungarian cinema, having started as an actor before transitioning to directing
- The film was produced by the Corvin Film Factory, which was one of Hungary's most important early film studios
- 1920 was a critical year for Hungarian cinema, as the industry was recovering from the political upheavals following World War I
- Star Iván Petrovich was actually Serbian-born but became a prominent figure in Hungarian and German cinema
- Many Hungarian films from this period have been lost due to the unstable political situation and poor preservation conditions
- The mountain setting was significant in Hungarian cinema as a symbol of national identity and romantic nationalism
- Silent films from Hungary in 1920 often incorporated elements of Hungarian folklore and rural traditions
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception of 'Under the Mountains' is difficult to trace due to the scarcity of surviving Hungarian film publications from 1920. However, films from this period that dealt with Hungarian themes and rural settings were generally well-received by domestic audiences seeking cultural affirmation during a period of national crisis. The film would have been evaluated in the context of Balogh's earlier works and the standards of Hungarian cinema's golden age. Modern film historians have limited ability to assess the film's artistic merits due to its presumed lost status, though it is referenced in studies of early Hungarian cinema as an example of post-war national romantic filmmaking.
What Audiences Thought
Hungarian audiences in 1920, still reeling from the political and territorial losses of World War I and the Treaty of Trianon, generally gravitated toward films that celebrated Hungarian culture and landscapes. 'Under the Mountains' with its rural setting and themes of love and honor would have resonated with audiences seeking escapism and national affirmation. The star power of Iván Petrovich, who was becoming increasingly popular, likely contributed to the film's appeal. However, the unstable economic situation and the exodus of many film talents meant that domestic productions faced increasing competition from foreign imports, particularly from Austria and Germany.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Hungarian folk literature
- National romanticism
- European melodrama tradition
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Film Restoration
The film is believed to be lost, as are many Hungarian films from the early 1920s. The political upheavals, poor storage conditions, and destruction during World War II resulted in the loss of approximately 90% of Hungarian silent films. No known copies of 'Under the Mountains' survive in major film archives, though it's possible that fragments or stills may exist in private collections or Hungarian film institutions.