The Peak Scaler
The two unemployed engineers Franzl and Bertl want to be the first to climb the Matterhorn from the dangerous north face. They travel by bicycle with Mizzl and Traudl but without telling them about their intentions. The women accompany them on the assumption that it is a touristical trip. All four camp in a tent at the foot of the Matterhorn and Franzl and Bertl secretly begin the dangerous ascent. The girls will have to follow the ascent together with the residents of the village and the guests of the mountain hotel using binoculars. The role of Franzl is played by Franz Schmid, the actual conqueror of the north face of the Matterhorn together with his brother Toni in 1931.
The Fight for the Matterhorn
Sounded version of the 1928 film 'Der Kampf ums Matterhorn'. The added sound track included music composed by Schmidt-Boelckeb and dubbed dialogs by different actors. This version is slightly shorter than the silent film due to the disappearance of the movie titles. The story, based on the novel by Carl Haensel recreates the struggle between Edward Whymper and Jean-Antoine Carrel for the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. In 1938 two new versions of the movie were filmed under the direction of Luis Trenker, who acted again in the role of Carrel. One version was shot in German (Der Berg ruft) and the other in English (The Challenge).
Schwyz Castle
1903, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.
Devil of the Matterhorn
English-language, dubbed sound and partly re-edited version of Der Kampf ums Matterhorn. During an early, unsuccessful attempt at climbing the Matterhorn, Edward Whymper finds himself rescued by an italian guide, Jean Antoine Carrel. The two men quickly build a friendship and agree to reach the peak together. However, local villagers plot to divide the alliance of Whymper and Carrel and both men join rival teams as they set out in a race to conquer the mountain. A mountaineering drama based on the novel by Carl Haensel and inspired in the dramatic true story of Edward Whymper, who led the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865.
Mountain Man
The mountain guide Jakob is a controversial figure. His supposed father dies and leaves behind a great heritage to the people. In the town they consider Jakob a bastard, because his parents were not married, which means that without a testament, the lands in which he lives do not belong to him. But the testament indicates that the inheritance corresponds him under a single condition, he must be the first person to climb the east face of Monte Verità. French version of Die weisse majestat, shot the year before in German with the same script in the Eiger/Jungfrau region but with different actors and by a different director.
In Switzerland
Released on September 4th, 1916. Produced by Burton Holmes.
Unknown Switzerland
Travelogue documenting extremely isolated areas in Switzerland between Bernese Alps and the Rhone River.
Cervino 1901
On September 28th, 1903, the Urban Mountaineering Expedition, headed by Frank Ormiston-Smith, left Zermatt to attempt the conquest of the Matterhorn. On the 29th, the conquest was completed by the filming of the panorama from the actual summit of the mountain. The film consists of 20 scenes and illustrates the whole ascent from Zermatt through the Hornli Ridge. A copy of the film was found in Zermatt in 1953 and was was erroneously attributed to Frederick Burlingham and dated 1901. Since then, the film has been widely publicized as the first mountain film under the title of 'Cervin 1901', but this is incorrect. Ormiston previously had made 'Alpine series' (1901), 'The ascent of Mont Blanc' (1902), 'Climbing the Great Schreckhorn' (1902) and 'Ascent of the Jungfrau' (1903). The pictures and descriptions of the Charles Urban Trading 1903 film catalogue show without any doubt that 'Ascent of the Matterhorn' and 'Cervin 1901' are the same film.
Lovely Lucerne
1918, produced by Frederick Burlingham.
Schweizer Bergfibel
Released in 1939. Directed by August Kern.
Battle for the Mountain
Sound and shortened version of 'Im Kampf mit dem Berge', Arnold Fanck's second major mountaineering film, from 1921. The film follows two mountain enthusiasts, battling through a glacier area in the Swiss mountains. The mountaineers are two very prominent skiers at the time, Hannes Schneider and Ilse Rohde, who climb the Lyskamm. Arnold Fanck's film production company (Berg und Sportfilm GmbH) was acquired in 1925 by the UFA, whose cultural department reedited the film into a short and sound version in 1940 with the music of Giuseppe Becce.
The Son of the White Mountain
The mountain guide and ski instructor Hans Turri has been hired by the tourist Gregory Milacz to make a route in the mountains. Both are caught by a storm, so while Milacz is waiting at the Concordia Hut, Turri returns to the valley again. On the way back, Milacz has disappeared. Suspicions turn against Turri as a murder suspect for the jealousy he might have for the beautiful Mary Dulac. To get rid of the accusation of murder, Turri sets out to find Milacs. There is a French version of the film (Les chevaliers de la montagne), shot the same year by the same team but with different actors.
The Mountain Calls
During an early, unsuccessful attempt at climbing the Matterhorn, Edward Whymper finds himself rescued by an italian guide, Jean Antoine Carrel. The two men quickly build a friendship and agree to reach the peak together. However, local villagers ploto to divide the alliance of Whymper and Carrel and both men join rival teams as they set out in a race to conquer the mountain. A mountaineering drama based on the novel by Carl Haensel and inspired in the dramatic true story of Edward Whymper, who led the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. There is another version of the film titled The Challenge, shot the same year in English.
The Fight for the Matterhorn
Struggle for the Matterhorn (German: Der Kampf ums Matterhorn) is a 1928 German-Swiss silent drama film co-directed by Mario Bonnard and Nunzio Malasomma and starring Luis Trenker, Marcella Albani, and Alexandra Schmitt. The film is part of the popular cycle of mountain films of the 1920s and 1930s. Art direction was by Heinrich Richter. Based on a novel by Carl Haensel, the film depicts the battle between British and Italian climbers to be the first to climb the Matterhorn. Trenker later remade the film as The Challenge in 1938.
Viège-Zermatt Railway Over the Alps 1907
1907, cinematography by Frank Ormiston-Smith.
The Challenge
During an early, unsuccessful attempt at climbing the Matterhorn, Edward Whymper finds himself rescued by an italian guide, Jean Antoine Carrel. The two men quickly build a friendship and agree to reach the peak together. However, local villagers ploto to divide the alliance of Whymper and Carrel and both men join rival teams as they set out in a race to conquer the mountain. A mountaineering drama based on the novel by Carl Haensel and inspired in the dramatic true story of Edward Whymper, who led the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. There is another version of the film titled Der Berg Ruft, shot the same year in German.
The Silent Barrier
Helen Wynton, a society reporter, befriends Etta Stampa, who confesses that her heart is broken because her father has disinherited her because of a love story she had some years ago. Sent to St. Moritz for a story, Helen focuses on finding Etta's father, a Swiss mountain guide, to reconcile with her daughter. On the other hand, chasing Helen in St. Moritz is Mark Bower, an unscrupulous man. Aware of Bower's trip, Charles Spencer, who is in love with Helen, arrives in time to save Helen from Bower's evil intentions on the top of a mountain.
Winter Sports: Curling Contests in the Alps
This is an excellent and spirited picture of fine quality depicting the international curling contests in Switzerland, showing the Scotch champion team under very favorable conditions as well as many of the other leading contestants. The heads of the rinks both at the playing up and the "tee" ends are well shown, as also mid-rink views with the "stones"' merrily sailing past. The appropriate mid-winter Alpine surroundings make up a fine picture.
The Prodigal Son
Story of the trials and tribulations of a German who emigrates to the US during the Great Depression.
Love Letters from the Engadine
Constance, the young widow of a wealthy American, gets a love letter from the Engadine region, signed by the famous guide Toni Anewater she had met during a holiday in the previous year. Constanze and her friend Dorothy therefore go to Switzerland for winter sports. But identical love letters to other ladies in London, Paris and Rome have been sent. Toni does not know anything about the letters. Everything seems to be a cunning of the hotel owner to attract tourists.