The Last Command

The Last Command (1928)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (6 reviews)

  • 88% of users liked it
    (534 ratings)

Josef vonSternberg's The Last Command was inspired by the true story of General Lodijenski, a Russian aristocrat who arrived penniless in the US after the 1917 Revolution and who supported himself by playing movie bit parts and managing a Russian restaurant. Emil Jannings stars as the Grand Duke… More

Unrated, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By
Josef von Sternberg, Emil Jannings
Written By
Lajos Biró, John F. Goodrich
Genres
Drama, Classics
In Theaters
Jan 1, 1928 Wide
On DVD
Aug 24, 2010

Critic Reviews

  • Sean Axmaker, Parallax View

    Sternberg uses the [acting] contrast to differentiate the sides of the battle, emphasize the class difference and create a dynamic of old Europe and new.

  • James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

    Jannings is a forceful screen presence and his characterization of the general is impressive in its oscillation between power and loss

  • Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

    German Emil Jannings became the first Oscar winner, when he won Best Actor for this as well as The Way of All Flesh; here he plays a former Russian General turned extra who goes mad when asked to recreate the Revolution in a movie

  • Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    A true classic of silent film from Sternberg.

  • Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

    A fascinating character study of a "great" man who deserves, but doesn't deserve, his bitter end.

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)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Walter M


    In "The Last Command," Andreyev(William Powell), a movie director, is preparing to film his magnum opus about the Russian Revolution. In casting the role of a Russian general, he finds the real deal in Sergius Alexander(Emil Jannings), the late Tsar's cousin and former… More

  • Eric B


    One of the best lead performances in a silent drama I've seen, plus an undeniably powerful ending. But I prefer my silents a bit more stylized -- Von Sternberg's direction basically just gets the job done, minus a few tracking shots of note (particularly when scanning behind… More

  • Byron B


    Tragic story. In a slight way, the story is similar to the film The Last Emperor.

Cast

See full cast

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