Rheinsberg (1967)

Claire and her boyfriend Wolf, whom she calls “Wölfchen,” go on holiday together shortly after the turn of the century. They are heading to Rheinsberg. Claire mainly wants to use the trip to get some clarity about her future with Wölfchen. Is he the right one? In their guesthouse room, she thinks back on their past together: The two young people meet through a curious exchange at a Berlin lido and soon begin seeing each other in secret. Wölfchen, a journalist by profession, slips away from the newsroom, while Claire waits for him in a café without her parents’ knowledge. Before long, they both show the typical signs of being in love: Claire and her governess Anna giggle together, much to the displeasure of her strict father, and Wölfchen dresses smartly and dances along the corridors of the newsroom. Claire takes two risks: She spends a weekend with Wölfchen amid Berlin society, in the (densely populated) solitary countryside. She also introduces Wölfchen to her parents as a new Latin tutor who gives her lessons at their home. Claire is now not quite sure how their relationship should proceed, since constantly sneaking around to protect her good reputation cannot be the answer. Anna suggests a trip to Rheinsberg. Claire is delighted and lets a friend in on the plan; she will officially be staying with this friend while away from home. Then she sets off for Rheinsberg with Wölfchen. At Löwenberg, they transfer to a steam train. In Rheinsberg, Claire and Wölfchen take a room as a married couple. Their carefree days in Rheinsberg are full of imagination, high spirits, and lightheartedness. They visit the town and Rheinsberg Castle, go rowing, dancing, and shopping, and take a carriage ride. Toward the end of their stay, Wölfchen gives Claire a package that she is not allowed to open until they leave. The end of the holiday comes far too quickly, but Claire is happy with everything she has experienced with Wölfchen. Only once they are on the train does Claire remember that she left the package in the guesthouse room. Wölfchen swears he will never let her know what was inside, because “life is no good without secrets.” Claire, however, is sure he will tell her after all: in one of the loveliest weak moments a woman can bring about in her husband. The steam train disappears into the distance.