by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Der Katzensteig (The Catwalk) is based on a novel by Herman (Sunrise) Sudermann. The story is set during the Napoleonic wars, when all of Prussia succumbed to the armies of the Little Corporal. Werner (Hannes Stelzer), the hero, must endure ostracization because of his father's pro-French sentiments. The only person who cares about Werner is Regine (Brigitte Horney), herself under a cloud for purported collaboration and promiscuity. Werner clears his family's name by fighting heroically against Napoleon, but still must pay a terrible personal price when he returns home. Der Katzensteig is a remake of the same-named 1927 silent film.
