Die lebende Tote (1919)

Eva is married to Professor von Redlich, who is considerably older than she is, and has a daughter with him, whom she loves dearly. However, she does not feel fulfilled in her marriage. One day, she runs into an old friend from the past, the nobleman von der Tann. He still has his eye on Eva and is determined to win her back. Eventually, she gives in to his advances, and the two spend a night making love. She tells her husband that she is going by train to visit her sister. But it is not Eva who takes the night train: her maid, Brigitte, does, while Eva plans to follow on the early train the next morning. When the train derails in a terrible accident and many people are killed, Eva is also believed to be among the victims. Eva is unsure what to do now. If she admits to the lie, she will have to explain herself. If she sticks to her story, she will be unable to return to her old life. Mrs. von Redlich decides to be dishonest and never returns to her family. Instead, she sees this complicated situation as a chance for a new happiness, and so decides to become an actress. But fame on the variety stage is only a poor substitute for never being able to see her child again because of her fateful decision. In moments of profound inner loneliness, Eva begins snorting cocaine. Von der Tann offers her more of the drug if she will spend another night making love to him. Only now does Eva realize how far she has fallen, and she takes her own life with an overdose.