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= Hintertreppe (Backstairs, 1921) = Carl Mayer specifically wrote this for Leopold Jessner, who would go on to direct Erdgeist.

Plot
The Maid wakes up and goes about her day cleaning up and doing her job. The Postman spies on her from his home down below in a basement across the street. The Postman delivers the mail up to the servants door which is up the backstairs.The Maid opens up a letter and then meets with her lover by night. The Postman sees this from his home.

The Maid goes out the next night, still being watched by The Postman. The Lover doesn't come.

The next day The Postman still delivers the mail. The next night The Lover still doesn't come. She doesn't receive anymore letters from The Lover. The Maid grows upset by this. She eventually receives a letter detailing his love for her and the reason for his lack of letters. She shares this with The Postman and she embraces him in excitement.

During a party that The Maid is working at she writes a letter back. The Maid grabs some punch and two glasses. She goes down the backstairs and out towards The Postman's home. The Postman is writing a letter at this time. She comes into his home meaning with the drinks. The Postman tries to hide the letter but The Maid steals away from him. It is revealed that it is a word for word the same letter that she received the other day from The Lover. The maid is greatly upset.

The Maid goes back to work and cleans up after the party. The Postman drops an envelope at her door. The Maid goes to the Postman carrying the letter. She rips the letter in half in front of him and begins to cry. She grabs the hand of the Postman and holds his arm. She cradles his head and kisses him.

The Postman cleans up his home and prepares dinner for him and The Maid. He hides and waits to surprise her. When she discovers him they hold hands. The Lover sees this interaction from outside. The Maid realizes this and goes to him. The Maid and The Lover argue. He gives her a letter. She embraces him. The Maid leaves. The Lover confronts The Postman. The Maid listens while a fight begins. The Maid tries to break in but can't. She calls for help. Others come and break the door down. It is revealed that The Postman has murdered The Lover with an ax.

Depressed The Maid walks back to her quarters. She is fired from neglecting her job. The maid climbs up the staircase, onto the roof, and with everyone watching she jumps off and falls to her death.

Cast

 * Fritz Kortner as The Postman.
 * Henny Porten as The Maid.
 * William Dieterle as The Lover.

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Production
Alfred Junge was an assistant to Paul Leni with the set design of the film.

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Release
It was released in Germany on the 11th of December 1921.

The U.S. premiere of the film was in New York City on the 3rd of June 1926.

There is currently a version of the film on Youtube with English credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLXFFqrQMEk

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