I Accuse (1941)
In this film, the wife of a renowned doctor becomes ill with multiple sclerosis. Trying to spare her beloved husband the ordeal, the woman turns to a family friend, Dr. Lang, to help end her life. When this doctor declines to help with the assisted suicide, however, she is forced to turn to her husband. After much soul-searching, Dr. Heyt, her husband, assists in her suicide. The act, however, is witnessed by a chambermaid, who reports him to the police. Dr. Heyt is put on trial for murder and, at first, Dr. Lang testifies against him in court. Soon, however, Dr. Lang is faced with a similar case in his professional practice and this, along with Dr. Heyt’s impassioned performance in court, convinces Dr. Lang that, in some instances, mercy killing may be the right thing to do.
Cast
- Heidemarie Hatheyer - Hanna Heyt
- Paul Hartmann - Professor Dr. Thomas Heyt
- Mathias Wieman - Dr. Bernhard Lang
- Margarete Haagen - Berta Link
- Albert Florath - Prof. Schlüter
- Ilse Fürstenberg - Marie Günther
- Karin Evans - Erna Balg
- Hans Nielsen - Dr. Höfer
- Franz Schafheitlin - Rechtsanwalt Straten
- Erich Ponto - Prof. Werther
Screenplay
Keywords
euthanasia, nazi propaganda
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is I Accuse about?
- In this film, the wife of a renowned doctor becomes ill with multiple sclerosis. Trying to spare her beloved husband the ordeal, the woman turns to a family friend, Dr. Lang, to help end her life. When this doctor declines to help with the assisted suicide, however, she is forced to turn to her husband. After much soul-searching, Dr. Heyt, her husband, assists in her suicide. The act, however, is witnessed by a chambermaid, who reports him to the police. Dr. Heyt is put on trial for murder and, at first, Dr. Lang testifies against him in court. Soon, however, Dr. Lang is faced with a similar case in his professional practice and this, along with Dr. Heyt’s impassioned performance in court, convinces Dr. Lang that, in some instances, mercy killing may be the right thing to do.
- Who directed I Accuse?
- I Accuse was directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner.
- Who stars in I Accuse?
- I Accuse stars Heidemarie Hatheyer, Paul Hartmann, Mathias Wieman, Margarete Haagen, Albert Florath, Ilse Fürstenberg.
- How long is I Accuse?
- I Accuse has a runtime of 2h 5m (125 minutes).
- What genre is I Accuse?
- I Accuse is a Drama film.
- Where was I Accuse produced?
- I Accuse was produced in Germany.