Although I have seen most of the classic German silents from the Weimar days, this was my first viewing of this enchanting movie from director Paul Leni, who like so much other talent ended up in the States where he directed a few stylish silents before dying far too young. While this movie lacks the historical muscle of Caligari and Nosferatu, it has a great deal to commend it to lovers of both silent film and expressionist cinema.
It's technically a three-parter with the framing device of a poet hired by the owner of a wax museum to weave tales around his three main figures: the Caliph of Baghdad, Ivan the Terrible, and Jack the Ripper. The writer and two of the major characters in the stories that follow is played by William (Wilhelm) Dieterle who moved on from his acting days to direct a vast number of Hollywood classics from the early 30s (including "Fashions of 1934" reviewed below) before returning to Europe towards the end of his life. The Caliph is played by Emil Jannings, a pillar of German film and -- let me remind you -- winner of the first acting Oscar with much fun and humour as he lusts for the Baker's wife. Conrad Veidt another classic German silent actor who went on to memorable roles in Britain and the States (including "Casablanca") plays in the dark story of the murderous czar. These first two diversions take up most of the movie leaving only a short time for the tale of Jack the Ripper/Springheel Jack played by Werner Krauss, another notable German actor, but this is filmed so brilliantly in expressionistic, superimposed images that it just about took my breath away. The entire movie is a marvel of stylized design, and with its historic movie credentials outlined above, it is another not-to-be-missed must for lovers of silent cinema.
1 comment:
Thought the first two parts were no more than so-so though I did wonder at the
difference in appearance of the leading lady between the framing device and the
first tale. I agree that the final part makes the film more than worthwhile.
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