Betrayal (1929 film)


Betrayal is a 1929 American silent drama film produced for Famous Players-Lasky and released by Paramount Pictures. The film is the last silent film directed by Lewis Milestone, the last silent performance by Gary Cooper, the last silent performance by Germany's Emil Jannings, and the only onscreen pairing of Cooper and Jannings. It is considered a lost film.

Plot

peasant girl Vroni is having a secret summer romance with Viennese artist Andre Frey. When Andre later returns to Switzerland, he learns that Vroni has been forced to marry wealthy burgomeister Poldi Moser. Explaining Andre's appearance, Vroni introduces him as a young man who has just lost his sweetheart, and in sympathy, Poldi invites Andre to be a guest in his house.
Several times over the next few years Andre visits, during which time Poldi and Vroni have two children. Andre is overwrought by his repressed feelings toward Vroni, and after seven years, begs her to run off with him. She refuses, but agrees to one last tryst. While speeding down a dangerous run on a toboggan together, Vroni is killed and Andre fatally injured. Poldi learns the truth of the relationship while attending Vroni's funeral, and swears vengeance but discovers that Andre has died from the severity of his injuries.

Cast

Filmed at locations near Lake Tahoe, the film was intended to be a "part-talkie" and incorporated talking sequences, synchronized music, and sound effects, but because of Jannings's heavy German accent and the poor recording of Ralston's voice, it was released as a silent.