Ein Lächeln im Sturm

Katrina Mercier and her husband arrive in Canada's far north to run a trading post. Another trading post owner, Langrand, and police sergeant Spenlow, the only two civilized people in the area, fall in love with Katrina. They follow the husband and wife as they head further north for a chance that, until now, the husband has been reluctant to take. One day, Mercier catches his partner, an adventurer, trying to take advantage of Katrina; he kills him but is wounded. The couple and the two other whites attempt to return south, but Mercier dies of his wound along the way. Caught in a storm, the three survivors get lost; the dogs abandon them. Spenlow, realizing that Katrina loves Langrand, sacrifices himself to leave them his supplies; he is devoured by wolves. Langrand and Katrina are saved in extremis by a hunter.

Directed by René Chanas, Ein Lächeln im Sturm leans on a strong ensemble — Curd Jürgens, Oskar Werner, Aglaja Schmid — 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 1951.