Derby (1949 film)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Derby is a 1949 West German sports film directed by Roger von Norman. It stars Hannelore Schroth, Willy Fritsch and Heinz Engelmann. The movie was made by Real Film at the Wandsbek Studios in Hamburg, with location shooting in the Altes Land. The sets were designed by Mathias Matthies.

The story follows Dieter Benningsen, a veterinarian who is called to the Gut Lindenhof stud to treat the mare Atalante. There he unexpectedly meets Barbara Hessling, his former partner. A flashback reveals their past: four years earlier, Dieter helped deliver Barbara’s foal Ariadne, they fell in love and became engaged, but he left for Hanover to finish his studies. Landowner Dahlen later gave Barbara the horse Atalante and showed an interest in her.

Barbara and Dieter’s lives become tied to Atalante as the horse begins a racing career with Barbara guiding it, helped by master jockey Hans Rönning. Meanwhile Benningsen grows uneasy as Barbara’s world becomes focused on the horse. Evelyn Nauman, a friend of Dahlen, stirs up trouble. Barbara decides to train Atalante herself.

In a preparatory race, Atalante beats the rival Hannibal but sustains a tendon injury, making her unable to race in the Derby. Rönning plans to ride Hannibal in the big race. An aging jockey, Konny Schmidt, offers to help Barbara, arguing that careful handling could still win. Barbara, listening to Konny, presses on despite Dieter’s warnings. The Derby ends with Hannibal winning as Atalante pulls up lame. Afterward, Dahlen offers to keep Atalante at his stud.

Back in the present, Benningsen and Barbara stay with Atalante, who has given birth to a foal. They decide to try again.