Wasser für Canitoga (1939)

In the spring of 1905, a long-planned waterworks project in Canitoga, Canada, is supposed to be brought to a successful conclusion. Time and again in the past, acts of sabotage have prevented its completion. Engineer Captain Oliver Montstuart gives the order for the final blasting. But this time, too, someone seems intent on deliberately obstructing the work. An oversized charge sabotages construction once again. When Montstuart confronts foreman Westbrook about it, Westbrook threatens him with a drawn knife. Oliver has to shoot the man in self-defense. In a moment of rashness, the engineer immediately decides to flee. One day, by now a wanted man, he returns to Canitoga. This time he calls himself Nicholsen and introduces himself to Ingram, the chief engineer at the construction site, as a new employee. Montstuart, alias Nicholsen, now wants at last to find out who is behind the acts of sabotage that have been going on for years and have continued even after his flight. He discovers that Ingram is playing a double game and instigating the destructive activities. But Ingram has not been idle either. He has long since discovered Nicholsen’s true identity. He has Nicholsen’s friend Reechy shot as someone who knows too much, and turns the workers against the unwelcome newcomer. Against all expectations, Nicholsen is able to defuse the increasingly dangerous situation for himself quickly, especially as a new disaster threatens to destroy the waterworks. This time, a leak threatens the entire construction project. At the risk of his life, Nicholsen seals it and thereby prevents an impending explosion. At last, Montstuart / Nicholsen manages, with his last strength, to expose Ingram’s conspiracy. Gravely marked by his efforts, Oliver Montstuart is finally cleared of suspicion and is able to complete his life’s work: finishing the waterworks. Then he dies.