Backstairs (1921): cast, story & where to watch
1921 · Film · ★ 5.8
Released in 1921, Backstairs is a drama film directed by Paul Leni, running about 50 minutes.
What it’s about. A crippled mailman is in love with a maid who lives in the same building he does in one of the city's poor neighborhoods. She, however, is in love with a wealthy, handsome young man. Desperate to win her love, he begins to intercept love letters they send to each other and replaces them with his own messages, which each thinks is from the other. His plan seems to be succeeding, but then something happens that bring tragic results to them all.
Who’s in it. Backstairs stars Henny Porten as Das Dienstmädchen, Fritz Kortner as Der Postbote, William Dieterle as Der Handwerker and Eugene Dieterle.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.8/10, Backstairs has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Backstairs page.
If you liked it. Fans of Backstairs tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Backstairs (1921)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Backstairs change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Backstairs worth watching?
- Backstairs holds an audience score of 5.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Backstairs?
- Backstairs stars Henny Porten, Fritz Kortner, William Dieterle and Eugene Dieterle.
- When was Backstairs released?
- Backstairs was released in 1921, with a runtime of about 50 minutes.