this and the fine achievement from georg wilhelm pabst social realism period be base upon a tragedy in early 1906 that claim the life of nearly 1100 french miner a a coal dust explosion deep in mine at courrieres in northern france take place after a fire have smoulder for three week and eventually release deadly pit gas that bring about the fatality . estimable designer erno metzner create stark set that simulate the tragedy and provide a perception of reality and augment by matchless sound edit and with the only music be produce by integral orchestra during the beginning and end portion of a work for which aural effect possess equal importance with the eminent director fascinate visual composition . pabst manner of invisible edit that segue action from shot to shoot through movement of player prof to be smoothly integrate within this landmark film that also showcases sublime cinematography utilize camera mount upon vehicle and enable the director to shift amid scene without have a necessity of cut . although the work cardinal theme relate to socialist dogma and the unforgettable power of this film be hold in it detail and born of pabst nonpareil skill at weave numerous plot line into a cinema tapestry that stir one to admiration for german rescue squad of whom their fatherland be greatly proud while no less despairing of disastrous loss to the family of french victim while certainly and a seminal triumph fully a stimulate today to a cineaste a it be at the time of it first release .