Himmelskibet

A Trip to Mars | Das Himmelsschiff

Retrospective 2017

Avanti Planetaros, previously a captain of the seven seas, sets out for Mars in a spaceship built by his astronomer father. The journey is not without its troubles – the American ‘astronaut’ David Dane turns to alcohol and there is the threat of mutiny. Arriving on Mars, the crew of the “Excelsior” meets a highly-developed society of pacifists and vegetarians; these Martians even forgive the earthlings a rash use of firearms. Avanti Planetaros finds his “soul mate” in the person of Marya, daughter of the wise ruling elder. She accompanies him on the journey home in order to help humanity return to reason … The film delivered a message of peace during World War I. Probably inspired by a utopian novel by Albert Daiber (“Die Weltensegler”, Sailors Among Worlds, 1910), Himmelskibet paints a picture of The Other as the ideal of an enlightened, spiritually and morally superior society. Then modern technical achievements in cinematography and aviation meet Hellenic robes and floral Art Nouveau shapes. That is one of the reasons why this early “blockbuster”, which played a significant role in the cultural historiography of Aby Warburg (1866 – 1929), can clearly be considered one of the “spring flowers” of the genre.

by Holger-Madsen
with Nicolai Neiiendam, Gunnar Tolnæs, Zanny Petersen, Alf Blütecher, Svend Kornbeck, Philip Bech, Lilly Jacobsson, Frederik Jacobsen Denmark 1918 Danish intertitles, English intertitles 81’ Black/White

With

Nicolai Neiiendam
Gunnar Tolnæs
Zanny Petersen
Alf Blütecher
Svend Kornbeck
Philip Bech
Lilly Jacobsson
Frederik Jacobsen

Crew

Director	Holger-Madsen
Screenplay	Sophus Michaëlis, Ole Olsen
Cinematography	Louis Larsen, Frederik Fuglsang
Art Director	Carlo Jacobsen, Axel Bruun
Producer	Ole Olsen

Produced by

Nordisk Films Kompagni

Additional information

Copy: Danish Film Institute, Kopenhagen

Holger-Madsen

Filmography

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2017