Herr Tartüff (Tartuffe) (1925)

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The mise en scene is beautifully modulated and the performances -- by Emil Jannings, Lil Dagover, and Werner Krauss, among others -- are first-rate.
, New York Times
Whatever else may be said about it, the picture is heavy and primitive.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
One of silent cinema's most rigorous formalist exercises
, Empire Magazine
A dramatically satisfying and technically accomplished picture, with Karl Freund's shadowy cinematography the highlight.
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
While the film is arguably minor Murnau, it remains highly agreeable and full of the director's characteristic visual inventiveness, albeit on a smaller scale.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
One of the first post-modern films (in which characters watch and are aware of films).

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

AJ V

I love how this movie uses Tartuffe as a story within a story to warn the audience of hypocrites. The character who's saying it, breaks the fourth wall to tell us this warning as well, which was cool. Plus the expressionistic style isn't as pronounced as in some other… More
I love how this movie uses Tartuffe as a story within a story to warn the audience of hypocrites. The character who's saying it, breaks the fourth wall to tell us this warning as well, which was cool. Plus the expressionistic style isn't as pronounced as in some other films, but it's there. Especially in the guy who plays Tartuffe. Murnau sure made some interesting films, I recommend seeing this movie, it's good.
Megan S

It was a silent movie, the first one I've ever seen. I think that it was pretty enjoyable actually. They sure picked a creepy guy to play Tartuffe.