Der Schritt vom Wege

DER SCHRITT VOM WEGE is the first film by the Gustaf Gründgens production group and the first film adaptation of the novel Effi Briest. It was a long-planned project; as early as 1936, Gründgens gave Marianne Hoppe an exposé and thus the role of Effi Briest as a wedding present. Filming took place on Gründgens' extensive estate in Zeesen, which served as a private retreat for the busy actor. The cast had both theatre and Gründgens experience, and the director had gathered an ensemble around him with whom he was familiar. The film, which was translated into many languages and exploited internationally, is not only Gründgens' most successful directorial work, but also the title that was closest to his heart and the most popular of his cinematic works.