The White Hell of Pitz Palu (Die weiße Hölle vom Piz Palü) (1929)

After his wife falls to her death in a glacier crevasse, Dr. Johannes Krafft (Gustav Diessl) wanders alone through the Bernina Alps and becomes known as the legendary "Spirit of the Mountain." He encounters Maria Majoni (Leni Riefenstahl) and Hans Brandt (Ernst Petersen) in a mountain shelter, and he and Maria find themselves drawn to each other. Krafft heads out alone the next day but is pursued by the jealous Hans. Maria goes after Hans, who breaks his leg trying to follow Krafft. She and Krafft stay with him, and a powerful storm threatens their lives. After several days Krafft attempts to climb down to get help but freezes to death. The rescue team finds Maria and Hans and returns them to safety. Note that this popular silent "mountain film" was also released in Germany in a shortened (92-minute) sound version in 1935. 29/127 ~ Nicole Gagne, Rovi