MovieChat Forums > Confession (1937) Discussion > Was this crime and trial in Britain or G...

Was this crime and trial in Britain or Gemany?

posted 15 years ago by grumpy736-1
7 replies | jump to latest

I missed the TCM introduction by Robert Osborne, so I may be out of line, but I couldn't understand -- her husband is in Poland's army, allied with Germany in The Great War? Was the 'murder' in London, and stand trial in London? It was English style justice, certainly not the Germany of 1937, so the studio must have changed a lot from the MAZURKA version. It was a treat to see Basil dance the Mazurka!

I miss Big Band music and talented singers. Leonard Cohen is my idol. Civility, harmony, unity!

[–] ccheski 15 years ago

An introductory title card after the credits said it was based on events in a European city in 1930. Therefore, I would say that the court proceedings were understood to have been held in that year. Kay Francis's "look," particularly her makeup, suggested early '30s more than 1937.

As I watched the film, it seemed to me that all the action, including the trial, was set in various cities in Poland. Confusion might come from the fact that CONFESSION is based on a German film, but I think that film, MAZURKA, was also set in Poland.

So glad I saw this on TCM last night.

[–] mojo2004 15 years ago

It was English style justice, certainly not the Germany of 1937, so the studio must have changed a lot from the MAZURKA version. It was a treat to see Basil dance the Mazurka!

Robert Osborne said it was shot for shot exactly like the original film. In the trivia section it says:
Trivia:
Director Joe May was so determined to make this a close remake of the German film Mazurka (1935) that he kept a print of "Mazurka" on the set and frequently ran sections of it, to the annoyance of the new film's cast. In addition to copying the German original shot-by-shot in many scenes, this film also reuses the original score and songs.

Leading the blind squirrels of inquiry to the lost nuts of illumination.

[–] grumpy736-1 15 years ago

Yes, shot for shot in "many scenes" - but even in 1930, pre-Nazi Germany, I doubt any non-British European city had a trial by a jury. I guess we just need to accept the basic premise of the 'crime' as happening in a fictional state. Certainly a state with male supremacy laws.

I miss Big Band music and talented singers. Leonard Cohen is my idol. Civility, harmony, unity!

[–] Reedmalloy 13 years ago

For those checking back in, the train station sets and the directory checked by Vera both suggest 1930 Germany as the locale of the shooting and trial. The signs are all in a quasi-German, particularly in the use of "strasse" in the signage over the exit and in the directory entry for "Leonide Koslov." Most certainly trial by jury was widespread through Europe, even then.

[–] grumpy736-1 13 years ago

I would appreciate some education on TRIAL BY JURY -- in films on the continent like the Nazi German trials it seemed there was a team of judges who determined guilt (1933-1945?). In France there were three judges determining guilt, in films I've seen. Please tell me when the concept of judges by one's peers appeared in the continent - like Poland for example. Before their invasion by Germany? When is "Even then". I'm not a scholarly historian, only have derived impressions that I'm willing to correct. Seriously!

I miss Big Band music and talented singers. Leonard Cohen us nt idol. Civility, harmony, unity!

[–] Mayesgwtw39 15 years ago

Having now just seen "Mazurka" after seeing this film, there is no doubt they are almost identical (the Laura Hope Crewes character is less evident) but the two lead actresses have different charisma.

I may favor Negri slightly, but there is no doubt that Francis is terrific!...or as she might say, "tewiffic"!

[–] dlevy1201 12 years ago

I know it has been awhile but where did you get to see Mazurka (1935)?