Die Magd von Heiligenblut (1956)

In the small Alpine village of Heiligenblut, the landowners Hochkogler and Steinkogler plan to unite their estates by marrying off their children. But young Toni Hochkogler loves Maria, a maid. She is a poor orphan, as her parents were killed in a bombing raid in the Rhineland during the Second World War. She grew up with her aunt Barbara, who works as housekeeper for the priest of Heiligenblut. Now a young maid, Maria helps Vroni, the older housekeeper at Hochkogel. Steinkogler’s daughter, Annerl, also has other plans. The self-assured young woman has fallen in love with Andreas, a woodcarver, and has no intention of marrying Toni. Nevertheless, both fathers are determined to make the marriage happen. During a thunderstorm, Toni and Maria take shelter in an alpine hut and spend the night together. The old Hochkogler is appalled and believes Maria is only after Toni’s money. Toni, in turn, wants to tell his father that he will marry Maria, but hesitates when his father suffers a seizure. In this situation, his father asks Toni to visit the Steinkogler farm and at least meet Annerl as a possible bride. Out of consideration for his father’s health, Toni gives in. After he leaves, the old Hochkogler throws Maria out. Meanwhile, Toni and Annerl talk things over and assure each other that neither of them is interested in marrying. The old Steinkogler interprets their agreement as he wishes and has the banns posted by the priest. Because Annerl also kissed Toni out of relief, Andreas now believes they are a couple and turns away from Annerl. Just as Maria arrives at the parsonage after being dismissed, the banns that were ordered are posted. The priest and Barbara decide to place Maria in the mill of Lenz, an older bachelor, where she is to work as a maid. Lenz welcomes her warmly, and she settles into his household. She leaves Lenz’s marriage proposal unanswered. Two months later, Toni visits her, but she accuses him of betraying her: instead of announcing that he would marry her, he had gone to see Annerl, as his father wanted. After she throws Toni out, she faints. She suspects that she is pregnant, and Kräuter-Vetti gives her the address of a doctor in the city. There she gives birth to her child. Shortly after the birth of her son Anton, Barbara and the priest visit her. They have learned of Maria’s situation from Kräuter-Vetti. They find Maria another position as a maid at Lenz’s, and take the child with them. Vroni, who knows from Vetti that Toni is the child’s father, offers to act as wet nurse and takes the child into her care. The old Hochkogler has since died, and the forced marriage of Toni and Annerl could not take place during the six-month mourning period. But the six months are nearly over, and the priest feels obliged to perform the wedding despite his own misgivings, since it was the dying Hochkogler’s last, and therefore “sacred,” wish. However, Steinkogler learns that there is a child living in Toni’s house, believes it is Toni’s, and therefore calls off the banns. At the big village festival, Annerl and Andreas reconcile. Toni, who has grown fond of the baby, meets Maria and confesses his love for her. He also tells her that a child of unknown parents is living with him and that he intends to bring the child into his marriage. Only then does Maria reveal to him that the child is theirs. With the child in his arms, they leave together.