pretty gutsy of Dieterle and the cast for even taking on this subject way back then; "Sex in Chains" (English-version of the title) can be divided into 4 parts - The first quarter is the love story of husband and wife, Franz and Helene Sommer, and how Franz gets tossed into prison. Part two shows the mental and sexual frustration they both feel being separated for so long; Part three is how they both deal with the "tension", and the last part takes place when they are reunited. Cant really discuss the last part (although I want to !) without giving away the ending of the movie. The middle of this film has the feel of a long documentary, with the plight (and resulting actions) of the separated husband and wife showing the dire need for prison reform. Seems to be about the last film project for mary johnson (Helene)and gunnar tolnaes (Steinau). These two do not appear to have been German citizens anyway, and may have needed to leave the country with the oncoming problems in Germany... Note that, starting in 1931, Dieterle's films all have English titles, as he was now in Hollywood. Plot and film quality are both in much better shape than "Different from the Others", but this one WAS made nine years later. As another reviewer has pointed out, this film is not at all pro-gay rights; the message is more "look what long separation of a married couple ends up doing to them and to society."
Review of Sex in Chains
