by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Der Gouverneur is based on The Flag, a play by Otto Emmerich Groh. German film favorite Brigitte Horney stars as Maria, the wife of straight-arrow, corruption-fighting General Werkonen (Willy Birgel). Though she admires and respects her husband, Maria is not in love with Werkonen, and before long is embroiled in an affair with the general's adjutant, Lt. Runeberg (Ernest von Klipstein). When Werkonen finds out what's been going on, the stage is set for a spectacular -- but futile -- gesture of self-sacrifice. The film was directed by Russia's Victor Tourjansky, who remained in Germany throughout WWII, seemingly impervious to the country's many political upheavals.
