Asta Nielsen

Born: 1881-09-11

Asta Nielsen is often considered the 'first international movie star', and was an explosively popular female lead through the 1910s and 20s. Though born in Denmark, she mostly worked in Germany and starred in over 70 films, usually directed by her husband Urban Gad. She was known for her boyish looks and had her breakout in the erotically charged 'Afgrunden' (1910).


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The Abyss

as Magda Vang
Released: 1910-09-12

Magda, a piano teacher, meets Knud, a parson’s son, who invites her to spend the summer at his...

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Earth Spirit

as Lulu
Released: 1923-02-22

When the old, wealthy Doctor Schön takes Lulu under his wing, he has no idea that she will be...

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Joyless Street

as Maria Lechner (Mizzi)
Released: 1925-03-01

In 1921, we follow two women - Marie and Grete - from the same poor Viennese neighborhood, as...

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The Dangerous Age

as Elsie Lindtner
Released: 1927-11-17

The gorgeous 40-year-old Elsie Lindtner lives in a beautiful house, and is married to a...

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Tragedy of the Street

as Auguste - Old Street Walker
Released: 1927-04-14

Auguste is an aging prostitute who falls in love with Felix, a younger student. While Felix has...

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Wandering Souls

as Nastassja Baraschkowa
Released: 1921-11-28

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Hamlet

as Hamlet
Released: 1921-01-27

A free adaptation of Shakespeare′s drama. The Danish queen masquerades her daughter as a boy,...

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The Fallen

as Anna Grosser
Released: 1926-01-18

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Towards the Light

as Komtesse Ysabel, grevindens datter
Released: 1919-07-30

Countess Ysabel is a young and rich woman with many suitors. An elegant and adventurous baron...

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Downfall

as Kaja Falk
Released: 1923-05-16

Variety star Kaja falls in love with fisherman Peter. But he in a unfortunate situation kills a...

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Impossible Love

as Vera Holgk
Released: 1932-12-23

A deranged woman artist falls in love with a young sculptor. The impossible love ends tragically.

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Little Angel

as Jesta
Released: 1914-01-03

Engelein is a comedy of deliberately mistaken identity. If Jesta, a 17-year-old, can play the...

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The Traitress

as uncredited
Released: 1911-12-09

A woman betrays the regiment location in which the officer she is interested in is assigned...

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The Film in the Film

as Herself
Released: 1924-06-26

The only surviving excerpt of a documentary on film production in Weimar Germany, featuring the...

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The White Roses

as Thilda Wardier
Released: 1916-10-22

When Hedda is about to appear on stage in Ostende she borrows a piece of jewellery from her...

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The Ballet Dancer

as Camille
Released: 1911-11-16

The ballet pupil Camilla Favier makes for a quick success and falls for the author Jean Mayol....

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Intoxication

as Henriette Mauclerc
Released: 1919-08-01

Gaston finally succeeds as a dramatist and decides to leave his wife and child for another...

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I.N.R.I. – A Film of Humanity

as Maria Magdalena
Released: 1923-12-24

From the director of Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, this is the Passion embedded in a contemporary...

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Living Buddhas

as Tibetanerin
Released: 1925-05-11

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Poor Jenny

as Jenny Schmidt
Released: 1912-03-02

Jenny, a cleaner, is seduced by a local playboy, Edouard. Jenny's parents reject her after she...

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Zapata's Gang

as uncredited
Released: 1914-02-27

Comedy about a film crew shooting a movie about guns and robbers, when real robbers turn up....

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The Film Prima Donna

as Ruth Breton
Released: 1913-12-06

Film star Ruth Breton has a habit of falling in love. When dating Walter she meets Von...

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The ABC of Love

as Lis
Released: 1916-08-16

When Lis meets her fiancé for the first time, she is severely disappointed. Having dreamed of a...

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Vanina

as Vanina
Released: 1922-10-05

Vanina loves rebel leader Octavio, who gets caught. He gets a pardon and marries Vanina. When he...

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The Strange Bird

as Miss May Wolton
Released: 1911-11-03

The English landowner Wolton has gone on a fishing trip in the Spreewald with his daughter May....

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The Suffragette

as Nelly Panburne
Released: 1913-09-12

Nelly's mother is a suffragette and persuades her daughter to join the good cause. Placing a...

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The Black Dream

as Stella, cirkusdanserinde
Released: 1911-09-04

Stella, a circus princess, has two suitors: young, handsome Count Waldberg and the greying,...

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Sex, Sensations & Superstars: The History of Danish Silent Cinema

as Self – Interviewee (archive footage)
Released: 2020-10-14

Documentary on the rise and fall of the Danish silent film industry.

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Frontstairs and Backstairs

as Sabine Schulze
Released: 1916-03-24

Comedy about the courting couple Sabine and Lehman. Her roving eye catches a lieutenant, and...

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Small Town Sinners

as Selma Karchow
Released: 1927-09-12

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Asta Nielsen - Europas erste Filmikone

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2023-10-29

Asta Nielsen: pioneer of cinema and first European film star, tragedienne and comedienne, writer...

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A Romany Spy

as Zidra
Released: 1912-11-28

Gypsy girl Zidra falls in love with the lieutenant she is supposed to spy on.

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Dora Brandes

as Dora Brandes
Released: 1916-08-16

Actress Dora marries journalist Gustav and lets down her art. She helps him in his political...

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Der Totentanz

as Bella Burk
Released: 1912-09-07

Bella is married to engineer Burk who meets with an accident. To provide an income she starts as...

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Comedians

as Kamma
Released: 1912-12-19

Comedy superstar Kamma has her professional life and her relationship strained when her son...

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Der Reigen - Ein Werdegang

as Elena
Released: 1920-02-27

Drama about street walker Elena who marries shop keeper Albert. When her former pimp Peter shows...

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Cinderella

as Lotte
Released: 1916-12-01

Growing up with mean foster parents, Lotte is employed as a kitchen maid with the von Harten...

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Fräulein Julie

as Julie
Released: 1922-01-02

A loose adaptation of August Strindberg's Miss Julie. The daughter of a count witnesses her...

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Gypsy Blood

as Jonna
Released: 1911-04-11

Jonna cheats on her husband with a chauffeur and is discovered by her husband. After the...

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The Great Moment

as Annie
Released: 1911-09-16

The landowner Bergmann and his wife hire Annie as a maid, but when the girl gets pregnant by a...

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Agitated Woman

as Clarina
Released: 1927-08-19

The aging singer Clarina receives a new engagement from a cabaret called the Maison Mouche and...

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The Vice of Humanity

as Tamara
Released: 1927-04-05

Tamara becomes addicted to cocaine but hides from her daughter by moving in with the dealer...

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Hedda Gabler

as Hedda Gabler
Released: 1925-03-30

Silent adaptation of the famous play by Henrik Ibsen. This film is believed to be lost.

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The Guinea-Pig

as Jesta
Released: 1916-01-01

Jesta’s mischievous and playful manner is driving her father and his new lady friend mad....

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According to Law

as Sonja Waler - Journalist - Her Daughter
Released: 1919-09-26

An Idealistic journalist tries to help a young doctor financially. In her pursuit of raising...

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So Ends My Song

as Dora Waren
Released: 1919-06-18

Many suitors woo the wealthy heiress Dora, but her heart belongs to the doctor Alberto. Shortly...

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The Eskimo Baby

as Eskimo Ivigtut
Released: 1918-04-04

Young Polar Explorer brings Eskimo Ivigtut to his parents in Berlin. After experiencing Western...

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The Moth

as Olga, Mademoiselle Yvonne
Released: 1911-05-13

A lost short film starring Asta Nielsen.

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Death in Seville

as Juanita
Released: 1913-03-26

Melodrama set in Spain. This film is considered lost.

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Navarro the Dancer

as Navarro
Released: 1923-04-02

The dancer Navarro has lost her husband and son. With her daughter at her side, she returns to...

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The False Asta Nielsen

as Herself
Released: 1915-12-10

A doppelganger comedy made at the height of Asta Nielsen's fame in which she plays dual roles....

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S1

as Von Hessendorffs Tochter
Released: 1913-11-15

The general's daughter spies on her fiancé to achieve information.

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Revenge of the Bandits

as Brigantenbraut
Released: 1922-02-17

Drama about Auca's relationship with two highwaymen, Ruggiero and Danilo. After the loss of a...

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Die Tochter der Landstrasse

as Zigeunerin Zirzi
Released: 1915-10-08

Zirzi witnesses the murder of Professor Wormser.

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Little Angel's Wedding

as Jesta Schneider
Released: 1916-03-24

A sequel to 1914's Engelein, recounting the wedding of the titular protagonist. This film is...

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Gypsy Blood

as Luscha
Released: 1911-10-08

In a remote german valley, a lord falls in love with a gypsy thief. This film is considered lost.

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When the Mask Falls

as Sanna
Released: 1912-11-01

Bank director Hardner, a cunning businessman who hides his unscrupulousness behind a mask of...

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Jugend und Tollheit

as Jesta Müller
Released: 1913-01-03

Comedy about the lieutenant who marries poor Jesta. As a wealthy neighbor wants his own daughter...

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The Woman in Flames

as Josephine
Released: 1924-12-28

Dancing, sports and erotic pursuits are the main ingredients in this drama about the fate of...

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Asta Nielsen: A Great Artist

as herself (archive footage)
Released: 1933-01-01

Found footage film about Asta Nielsen

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