Original subtitles

The original German version of Henrik Ga|een's ALRAUNE (1927) no longer exists. This reconstruction

is based on Danish and Russian distribution versions, which have undergone various cuts

and changes. Some shots cut by German censors have survived in this version,

while others appear to have been irretrievably lost. About 300 meters of film (approx. 10 minutes)

Are missing from the German premiere copy, including a scene with Valeska Gert dancing

in front of a whorehouse.

The text of these intertitles, based on the few surviving incomplete copies of the director's

screenplay, is drawn from a report by the Berlin Film Censors' Board dated January 16, 1928,

a program booklet of the same year, and retranslations from foreign-language versions.

Original graphics were preserved only on the main title, a few inserts, and three German

intertitles at the end of Act I. All others are reconstructed titles in script type or descriptive

titles in plain type. The tints were taken from the Danish nitrate print.

MANDRAKE: A DAUGHTER OF DESTINY

A film by Henrik Galeen

Based on the eponymous novel by Hanns Heinz Ewers

Cinematography: Franz Planer

Set design: Walter Reimann, Max Heilbronner

Mandrake. .. Brigitte Helm Professor ten Brinken. .. Paul Wegener

Frank Braun. .. Ivan Petrovich Harlot. .. Mia Pankau

Murderer... Georg John Wélfchen. .. Wolfgang Zilzer

Magician. .. Louis Ralph Animal trainer... Hans Trautner

Vicomte. .. John Loder

Line producer: Helmut Schreiber

Production, distribution and world sales: Ama-Film G.m.b.H.

On the brink between life and death, the hanged man's last seed fertilized

Mother Earth. Thus, criminals on the gallows begot mandrakes, plants whose roots

resemble the human form.

When the moon was full, people went out in search of mandrakes, which were

said to be good-luck charms, forgetting that they could also cause misfortune.

In the presence of the hanged man,

two men fight under the gallows for the unearthed mandrake root.

His Excellency, Senior Medical Officer Professor Dr. Jacob ten Brinken

“As we all know, plants can't choose their mates. Carried by the wind, their seeds

waft through the air, reaching other plants at random.”

“Like a gardener with plants, I succeeded with artificial insemination in animals,

without the so-called love.”

“What is possible with other mammals must also be possible with humans.”

“Science must know no boundaries!”

Frank Braun, the professor's nephew.

“Uncle, there is nothing more sacred than humankind.

Your attempts are a crime against nature!”

“Find me a woman like Mother Earth: a fertile womb, ready to be of service.”

From: Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor, Berlin

To: His Excellency, Prof. Dr. ten Brinken

I have instructed prison authorities

to grant your request and release

the murderer's body to you for scientific purposes

immediately following Noerissen's execution.

Outside the whorehouse, a prostitute and a lithe black man perform a provocative dance.

The other girls watch at the window.

Before Frank shows up at the end of the alley, everyone disappears into the house.

As he walks by, a girl comes out and talks to him.

“Mandrake, spawn of the hanged man, I shall bring you out of the dark mists

of superstition into the bright light of science.”

His face contorted with fear, the criminal cries out: “Mother!”

Guards grab the condemned man and drag him to the gallows.

“But, Uncle-she wants to know who the man is!”

“For God's sake, don't do it”

“Mamaaa! Mamaaa!”

Thus, was created the daughter of the hanged man and the harlot.

Ten Brinken has Mandrake brought up by nuns at the Sacred Heart Convent,

where she celebrates her 17th birthday.

“Run away with you? I can't do that to my parents.”

“I'll do anything you want.”

W6|fchen's father works as a cashier in a bank.

After several years abroad, Frank Braun returns home to his uncle.

“And what came of your experiments?”

My Mandrake's Development

October 24, 1908 My experiment is a success,

even though the mother paid with her life.

Today I gave her my name: Mandrake ten Brinken.

“You're playing God. Don't you believe in punishment?”

MANDRAKE HAS DISAPPEARED WITHOUT A TRACE —SACRED HEART CONVENT

Torelli, Illusionist

“You're one fearless girl. You could really go places.”

His Excellency Mr. Medical Officer Prof. Dr. Jacob ten Brinken

We finally have news regarding the whereabouts of your daughter Mandrake ten Brinken.

The young lady is traveling with the circus “Florida” in the company of the magician Torelli.

“Come and get me if you dare.”

“Don't you recognize your father?”

“I'm afraid of you.”

“You've brought shame upon my name. We will travel until the scandal dies down.”

“She has a gentleman caller— or do you think that’s her father?”

An almost fatherly feeling toward this young, very pretty girl overwhelms me

I enjoy turning the whore’s daughter into a young lady of society!

“Papa?

“Strange, papa I don't look like you at all!”

“I guess I take after my mother?”

Am I supposed to just give her away to some young suitor as a respectable

wife and mother?! My creation“? Never ever!!

“My dear, may I ask His Excellency, your father..

My Mandrake's Development

“Neither to you, Herr Vicomte, nor to anyone else

She's still too young She mustn't leave me!”

“Tonight.. .!”

My Mandrake's Development

Thus, was created the daughter of the hanged man and the harlot:

Mandrake ten Brinken!

“My father is right I can't leave him he and I we belong together!”

“Papa, I think you're jealous...”

“Thank you so much for coming.”

“I'll buy you whatever you want as long as we leave this place!”

“But Mandrake You and I We are...!”

“Oh you phony I've known for a long time that I'm not your daughter!”

I love her it's love!! I have to write it down, this word I never knew.

But now I need to see it, I want to shout it out, to the world

just once I want to kiss the mouth I created just once and then—

Kill her so that no one can kiss it ever againl!

Has been seized and is now being auctioned off. The enclosed banknotes

are the last things I managed to salvage from your financial collapse.

Sincerest regards, Dr. Milllerhagen, Esq. Attorney

“Mandrake, you ought to win something for the man who owns you. Come on, let’s play! ”

“Red is the co-lour of love! Put it all on red!”

“For the fifth time, red!! Ladies and gentlemen, please place your bets!”

“For the ninth time, red! Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets now!”

“Mandrake you’re leaving?”

“Mandrake, it's not all lost. We still have the jewelry!”

“Let's go someplace happy far away...”

“Yes, just not with you!”

“Take me away!”

“My Man draaake!!”

The End