Salto Mortale (1953 film)

Salto Mortale is a 1953 West German drama film directed by Viktor Tourjansky. It stars Margot Hielscher, Karlheinz Böhm, and Lilo Accomazzo. The film revolves around the lives and relationships within a traveling circus, specifically focusing on the dangers and allure of the "salto mortale," a risky and potentially fatal acrobatic stunt. The narrative explores themes of love, jealousy, ambition, and the pressures faced by performers in the demanding world of circus entertainment. The film is notable for its authentic portrayal of circus life, achieved in part through the use of real circus performers and locations. While not widely known internationally, Salto Mortale remains a representative example of German cinema from the early 1950s.