The Somme

The Somme

1930 · 102 min · ★ 9.0 · Documentary, Drama, War

The Somme (also: The Tomb of the Millions) is the title of a silent documentary drama that Heinz Paul realized in 1930 for the Cando-Film Berlin based on his own script. Paul supplemented scenes with German actors with documentary footage from archive material of German, French and English origin. - Twelve years after the end of the First World War, Heinz Paul records the battle of the Somme in 1916 with original recordings, with over one million dead, the most lossy battle of the war. The archive images are supplemented by game scenes of a German mother who loses her three sons and by trailing front scenes. The Battle of the Somme, in which Allied troops bombarded the German front line, resulted in a months-long war of position. In documentary style, the film shows scenes of the most devastating battle of the First World War. It is narrated from the perspective of a mother who loses her three sons in battle.

Directed by Heinz Paul · Written by Heinz Paul

Your Rating

Cast

More from Heinz PaulSee all →

Des Lebens WürfelspielDes Lebens Würfelspiel · 1925
Des Lebens Würfelspiel
9.01925
Movie
a silent movie by Heinz Paul
Immortal MelodiesImmortal Melodies · 1935
Immortal Melodies
9.01935
MovieDrama
Vienna, Austria, late 1870s. After suffering an irreparable misfortune, the Austrian composer Johann Strauss Jr. (1825-99), the Waltz King, falls in love with a ballet dancer, which disappoints the famous operetta singer Marie Geistinger…
Das Hermännchen. Nee, nee, was es nich' alles gibtDas Hermännchen. Nee, nee, was es nich' alles gibt · 1936
Das Hermännchen. Nee, nee, was es nich' alles gibt
8.01936
MovieComedy
Hans, Karl and Rudi haven't had much luck in their lives so far. One day, Hans receives a letter from his aunt Gudula. She demands that he reanimate her little theatre "Euterpia" in Büllesheim and threatens to disinherit him if he doesn't manage to outcompete her competitor, Wengen, from the theatre "Thalia". In addition, niece Hilde is sent to Büllesheim to support Hans.
Die WarenhausprinzessinDie Warenhausprinzessin · 1926
Die Warenhausprinzessin
8.01926
Movie
a silent movie by Heinz Paul
TannenbergTannenberg · 1932
Tannenberg
7.01932
MovieWar
Shortly after the outbreak of World War I August 1914, Eastern Front. The Russian surprise attack on the northeasternmost part of the country causes serious problems for the German defenders.
U 9 WeddigenU 9 Weddigen · 1927
U 9 Weddigen
7.01927
MovieDramaWar
a silent war movie by Heinz Paul
The Other SideThe Other Side · 1931
The Other Side
7.01931
MovieWarDrama
The First World War. The young, English Lieutenant Raleigh is sent to the company of a disillusioned Captain Stanhope. Stanhope is secretly engaged to Raleigh's sister and is intent on protecting his image of an exemplary officer. An attack on the German lines, in which Raleigh also takes part, has turned into a bloody fiasco. Now Raleigh, too, knows the horrors of war, which have already taken their toll on Stanhope.
Wo der Wildbach rauschtWo der Wildbach rauscht · 1956
Wo der Wildbach rauscht
6.51956
MovieDrama
The young farmer Andrä has fallen madly in love with the maid Maria. But she marries the son of the mayor. When Andrä meets the newlywed in the mountains and the latter falls into the depths after an argument, a murder charge is brought - but no one but Andrä knows the truth
Circus LifeCircus Life · 1931
Circus Life
6.51931
MovieCrimeMystery
Circus themed films usually provides a thrilling drama. The relatively obscure "Schatten der Manege" provides just what you'd expect. Doing the trapeze act angle, combining it with romance and jealousy for a darker plot, it has a lot of the right the ingredients. Does have moments where it spends too long of circus footage, which ruins some of the pacing, but otherwise a fine circus flick.
Wunder des Fliegens: Der Film eines deutschen FliegersWunder des Fliegens: Der Film eines deutschen Fliegers · 1935
Wunder des Fliegens: Der Film eines deutschen Fliegers
6.21935
MovieDrama
A young German boy meets his hero, a famous flying ace, and dreams of becoming a pilot. However, his mother--whose husband was a fighter pilot killed in battle during World War I--does not want to lose her son, too, and tries to persuade him to abandon his dreams of flying.
Hula-Hopp, ConnyHula-Hopp, Conny · 1959
Hula-Hopp, Conny
6.21959
MovieMusicComedy
Marriage in Name OnlyMarriage in Name Only · 1930
Marriage in Name Only
5.01930
MovieRomanceDrama
a movie by Heinz Paul
Die Frau von gestern und morgenDie Frau von gestern und morgen · 1928
Die Frau von gestern und morgen
1928
MovieDrama

More Like This

SarajevoSarajevo · 2014
Sarajevo
6.32014
MovieThrillerHistory
The events in Sarajevo in June 1914 are the backdrop for a thriller directed by Andreas Prochaska and written by Martin Ambrosch, focusing on the examining magistrate Dr. Leo Pfeffer (Florian Teichtmeister) investigating the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Trying to do his job in a time of lawlessness and violence, intrigues and betrayal, Leo struggles to maintain his integrity and save his love, Marija, and her father, prominent Serbian merchant. But the events of Sarajevo have set into motion an inescapable course of events that will escalate to become … the Great War.
The CursedThe Cursed · 2021
The Cursed
6.62021
MovieHorrorDrama
In the late 19th century, a brutal land baron slaughters a Roma clan, unleashing a curse on his family and village. In the days that follow, the townspeople are plagued by nightmares, the baron's son goes missing, and a boy is found murdered. The locals suspect a wild animal, but a visiting pathologist warns of a more sinister presence lurking in the woods.
Johnny Got His GunJohnny Got His Gun · 1971
Johnny Got His Gun
7.51971
MovieWarDrama
A young American soldier, rendered in pseudocoma from an artillery shell from WWI, recalls his life leading up to that point.
Sergeant YorkSergeant York · 1941
Sergeant York
7.21941
MovieWarDrama
Alvin York a hillbilly sharpshooter transforms himself from ruffian to religious pacifist. He is then called to serve his country and despite deep religious and moral objections to fighting becomes one of the most celebrated American heroes of WWI.
Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago · 1965
Doctor Zhivago
7.61965
MovieDramaRomance
The life of a Russian physician and poet who, although married to another, falls in love with a political activist's wife and experiences hardship during World War I and then the October Revolution.
Paths of GloryPaths of Glory · 1957
Paths of Glory
8.31957
MovieWarDrama
A commanding officer defends three scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within the French Army in 1916.
Lawrence of ArabiaLawrence of Arabia · 1962
Lawrence of Arabia
8.01962
MovieAdventureHistory
During World War I, English officer Thomas Edward 'T.E.' Lawrence sets out to unite and lead the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes to fight the Turks.
Journey's EndJourney's End · 2017
Journey's End
6.32017
MovieWarDrama
Set in a dugout in Aisne in 1918, a group of British officers, led by the mentally disintegrating young officer Stanhope, variously await their fate.
The Great DictatorThe Great Dictator · 1940
The Great Dictator
8.31940
MovieComedyWar
Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.
All Quiet on the Western FrontAll Quiet on the Western Front · 1979
All Quiet on the Western Front
6.71979
MovieWarDrama
At the start of World War I, Paul Baumer is a young German patriot, eager to fight. Indoctrinated with propaganda at school, he and his friends eagerly sign up for the army soon after graduation. But when the horrors of war soon become too much to bear, and as his friends die or become gravely wounded, Paul questions the sanity of fighting over a few hundreds yards of war-torn countryside.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter