Das Kainszeichen (1918)

The wealthy Werner Jensen stipulated in his will that his two nephews, Herbert and Jakob Jensen, and Herbert’s daughter, Felicitas Jensen, should inherit his estate. Jakob Jensen is thoroughly displeased, since he wants the entire inheritance for himself. In fact, he manages to swindle his way into obtaining the whole estate. Five years later, he wants to increase his fortune further by marrying Therese van Eick, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. But Therese rejects him. Jakob then attacks and rapes her. Dishonored in this way, her father sees vigilantism as the only way to make amends and promptly shoots Jakob dead, with no witnesses. Jakob’s brother Herbert is arrested for the murder, as the authorities suspect a connection to the old disputes over the will, from which Jakob emerged as a ruthless victor. Herbert is put on trial and is eventually acquitted. Nevertheless, the mark of Cain remains attached to him—the suspicion that he murdered his own brother, just as Cain once murdered Abel. Herbert is shunned by society and must henceforth endure numerous humiliations, suspicions, and other suffering. This period comes to an end only when the elderly van Eick turns himself in and confesses to the killing.