Die Brüder Karamasoff (1920)

The story is told of the old brawler and drunkard Karamasoff, his very different sons, and the whore Gruschenka, who sows discord in the family. Dimitri Karamasoff wants to marry his fiancée Katharina, known as Katja. To do so, he must deposit 3,000 rubles with his regiment in Moscow. Dimitri does not have that much money, so he goes to his father to ask him to provide the sum. But his father, who owes his son money, is unwilling to do so. The old man has women on his mind instead. He is especially taken with the pretty prostitute Gruschenka and is determined to marry her. Dimitri tries to use Gruschenka to gain influence over his father. But the whore makes fun of him. In a tumultuous confrontation that grows increasingly passionate, they throw themselves at each other. Yet Gruschenka does not return Dimitri’s feelings and instead toys with him. At that moment, Dimitri Karamasoff is unfaithful to his Katja and falls head over heels for the immoral courtesan. Meanwhile, Katja has managed to raise the 3,000 rubles they need. When she hears that Dimitri is having an affair with the town’s notorious whore, she is deeply hurt, but still wants to marry her fiancé. She waits for Dimitri at the train station in vain: contrary to his promise, he does not come. Katja then leaves alone. That same evening, old Karamasoff is found bludgeoned to death in his apartment. Dimitri immediately comes under suspicion of having murdered his father. The presumed motive is jealousy, since the old man, who had been generous to Gruschenka, would not give her up. Dimitri’s younger brother Iwan tries to prove his innocence, but fails. At trial, Dimitri is found guilty of murder and banished to Siberia, where he must perform forced labor. The real culprit, however, is a repulsive, obsequious figure named Smerdjakoff. He had already escaped accusation and conviction by hanging himself the day before the trial began.