Foolish Wives (1922)

100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(1,009 ratings)

Actor/ writer/ director Erich Von Stroheim stars as a fraudulent count, living high on the hog in Monte Carlo. He supports himself by extorting huge sums of money from silly married ladies who are dumb enough to fall for his romantic charms. Von Stroheim's partners in crime, phony princesses Mae… More Actor/ writer/ director Erich Von Stroheim stars as a fraudulent count, living high on the hog in Monte Carlo. He supports himself by extorting huge sums of money from silly married ladies who are dumb enough to fall for his romantic charms. Von Stroheim's partners in crime, phony princesses Mae Busch and Maud George, live in a state of perpetual depravity with the count in a huge mansion. Their latest victim, played by an actress who insisted upon being billed as Miss DuPont, is the wife of an American financier. Von Stroheim's attempted seduction of this particular foolish wife is thwarted at every turn, and the count ultimately gets his comeuppance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Erich von Stroheim
Written By: Marian Ainslee, Erich von Stroheim
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1922 Wide
On DVD: Sep 19, 2000

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film that made the monocle wearing von Stroheim famous as The Man You Love To Hate.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
A towering example of Erich von Stroheim's intimidating genius and astonishing egocentrism.
Michael H. Price, Fort Worth Business Press
The original 'Eyes Wide Shut,' confronting the erotic obsession with frankness and confrontational humor.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Foolish Wives is disillusionment Von Stroheim style.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
A great, crazy masterpiece with Stroheim pulling double-duty as director and actor.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

An okay con artist woman seducer type movie. And director von Stroheim plays the leading role too. The biggest problem is that it's way too long. That really annoyed me, it didn't need to be over 2 hours. The costumes and sets are realistic, though, and it was interesting… More
An okay con artist woman seducer type movie. And director von Stroheim plays the leading role too. The biggest problem is that it's way too long. That really annoyed me, it didn't need to be over 2 hours. The costumes and sets are realistic, though, and it was interesting to read that von Stroheim insisted on not using anything fake.
Stella D

the first million dollar film in hollywood history and every bit of it is up there on the screen. von stroheim insisted on real champagne and caviar and french underthings for the ladies so as to feel more like true aristocrats. the monte carlo set built on a studio backlot is just… More
the first million dollar film in hollywood history and every bit of it is up there on the screen. von stroheim insisted on real champagne and caviar and french underthings for the ladies so as to feel more like true aristocrats. the monte carlo set built on a studio backlot is just incredible. all this goes a long way toward explaining his aborted directing career. editing from 6 hrs down to 2.5 caused some pacing issues i think but, spread over 2 nights, this was an amazing experience. now i want to find a coherent version of greed! all hail the mad genius

Cast

Erich von Stroheim
as Count Sergius Karamzin Capt. of 3rd Hussars Imperial
Rudolph Christians
as Andrew J. Hughes
Miss Du Pont
as Mrs. Helen Hughes

Maude George
as Princess Olga Petschnikoff
Mae Busch
as Princess Vera Petschnikoff
Dale Fuller
as Maruschka a Maid

See full cast

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Foolish Wives (1922)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Stella D

Cast

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