The Golem (Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam) (1920)
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100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
59% want to see it
(1,824 ratings)
Actor-director Paul Wegener made three films built around the mythical creature of Jewish legend: Golem was released in 1914, and a sequel of sorts, Der Golem und die Tänzerin, came out in 1917. This is the one film which has survived and is regarded among the landmarks of early German… More Actor-director Paul Wegener made three films built around the mythical creature of Jewish legend: Golem was released in 1914, and a sequel of sorts, Der Golem und die Tänzerin, came out in 1917. This is the one film which has survived and is regarded among the landmarks of early German expressionism. In medieval Prague, Rabbi Loew (Albert Steinruck) observes the stars and concludes that trouble is brewing for his people. When the emperor issues a decree threatening the expulsion of Jews from the city, the rabbi, a master of magic, activates the Golem, a monstrous clay figure, to help save his congregation. The rabbi's daughter, Miriam (Lyda Salmonova, who also played this role in the 1914 film) is courted by two men, Famulus (Ernst Deutsch), the rabbi's assistant, and Knight Florian (Lathar Menthel), a messenger for the emperor. Famulus re-activates the Golem to vanquish his rival, and the monster goes berserk. Stylized sets and moody cinematography elevated Der Golem above the standard features of its time, its central figure has been the focus of a number of films produced in various countries, and the name has become a generic descriptor for any lumbering creature which can't be easily controlled. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi
- Directed By
- Carl Boese, Paul Wegener
- Genres
- Horror, Art House & International, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Unrated,
Critic Reviews
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Don Druker, Chicago Reader
Of the four extant versions of this perennial horror classic, Paul Wegener's 1920 version remains the best.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The Golem, carefully crafted and visually impressive work, has lost little of its power over the decades.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This classic in horror is mainly enjoyed for its powerful visuals.
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, Film4
Paul Wegener directs and stars in an enduring example of German Expressionist horror, based on an ancient Jewish myth.
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Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
Wes Craven could take some clues from Paul Wegener's concepts.
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Cast
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Ralph Carney
as Horns
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Ernst Deutsch
as Famulus
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Fritz Feld
as Jester
- Otto Gebuhr
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Lathar Menthel
as Knight Florian
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Lyda Salmonova
as Rabbi's Daughter
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Albert Steinrück
as Rabbi Loew
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Paul Wegener
as The Golem
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Hanns Sturm
as Emperor Rudolph II
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Jason Carter
as Drums/Percussion
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Duane Jarvis
as Lead Guitar
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Joseph Pope
as Bass
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Eric Drew Feldman
as Keyboards/Synthetics
