Herbstromanze

A short vacation should let the 17-year-old, deaf-mute Veronika forget the death of her beloved father, so the plan of her mother Christina. The place of recreation, however, is not chosen happily, due to lack of money: Gut Vorwald in the Sauerland region belongs to the mature nobleman Benno von Caldern, to whom Christina once pledged herself in her youth before meeting her future husband and renouncing Benno. Under the golden roof of autumnal oak crowns, the feelings of the past return, not without dramatic consequences.

Directed by Jürgen Enz, Herbstromanze leans on a strong ensemble — Rudolf Lenz, Anke Syring, Claus-Dieter Reents — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1981.