CRYSTAL PALACE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20175, 2 March 1931, Page 6

CRYSTAL PALACE.

MAGNIFICENT GERMAN FILM. "The White Hell of Pit» Palu," whioh was presented at the Crystal Palace for the first time on Saturday evening, 'is a striking proof of the enduring vitality of the silent provided that it has thu benefits of originality and strong acting. A German-made film, it 'is magnificent in its handling of a simple, though- terrifying, dramatic situation, in the restrained acting of its' ttiree main characters, in the" mountain grandeur of its scenic background, and iff the selective quality of its photography. All these elements are to one idea—the presentation of the all-enveloping, charactor of the grim peak Palu. The story is > simple, and related, with a restraint and a sureness of which so far cnly English and German films have been capable. Three climbers attempt an ascent of a mountain; .there is a revelation of 'the difficulties they, encounter, of the tiagedy which , injures two of'them, .'so that they are made powerless, and of th? attempt at rescue. That' is all. ,• /' The actorn-'-Gtiatav Diesel, Ernest Petersen, and Leni Rieffenstfthl (as Maria) are excellent in their parts, the scenery is authentic, as well' as are the dangers which the characters acted in the nigh; alps of Switzerland. To those with a knowledge' of mountaineering the film should .have a -special inteiest, fori it shows expert climbers at work under conditions which are paralleled in our own 'Alps, while to others - this aspect is sure to m attractive as a, revelation of a type of adventure whioh : has. not "previously been authentically presented on the screen. A reinarkable thing about the film i» that the camera is not obtrusive. The accompaniment of original- musio is -'admirably in keeping with the high standard set by the film. ■ _ r . There is an" interesting supporting programme, including gazette, iicartoon, - and amusing comedy, "It Happened in Hollywood."