The Man Who Laughs

The Man Who Laughs (1927)

  • 100% of critics liked it
    (6 reviews)

  • 85% of users liked it
    (2,033 ratings)

Released with sound effects and a music score that included the song "When Love Comes Smiling" by Walter Hirsch, Lew Pollack and Erno Rapee, Paul Leni's near masterpiece remains one of the silent era's last great romantic melodramas. Based on Victor Hugo's 1869 novel… More

Unrated,
Directed By
Written By
J. Grubb Alexander
Genres
Drama, Horror, Classics
In Theaters
Nov 4, 1928 Wide

Critic Reviews

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    One of the final treasures of German silent Expressionism.

  • Jake Euker, Filmcritic.com

    Poised between the great German horror that preceded it and the great Universal horror that followed, it is, for genre fans, an inviting and necessary stop.

  • Mark R. Leeper, rec.arts.movies.reviews

    While this is a flawed film, it boasts some of the most impressive acting of the silent era. It certainly has sharpened my interest in Veidt.

  • John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

    An expressionistic masterpiece of spooky, fairy tale Poe-meets-Perrault imagery...

  • Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine

    The film's fascination with bric-a-brac and its tendency towards spare, minimalist compositions is evidence of a stylistic schism.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • AJ V


    A great classic movie, I really liked it, it's beautiful. I can tell that many films have been inspired by this story, and it's great to finally see the inspiration. I highly recommend seeing this movie.

  • Morgan S


    spectacular movie!! Its not so much a horror movie as it is a romance. I ador Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin. They are both great!!

  • Cassandra M


    In 1690, in England, the nobleman Lord Clancharlie returns from his exile to see his young son. The peer is captured by the cruel King James II and before being killed, he is informed that his beloved son had been sold to the gypsies Comanchicos that carved a permanent grin on his… More

  • Stella D


    the original silent film based on victor hugo's novel that inspired sardonicus and of course the joker from batman. conrad veidt in the lead role is much more sympathetic than those characters and it's as much a love story as gothic horror, like hunchback of notre dame and… More

  • Luke B


    Despite that garish poster that makes this look like a horror, this is actually a romance. It's a sweet piece of silent cinema that uses it's visuals to full affect. Veidt is fantastic. Having to grin all the time must have made it difficult to convey emotions other than… More

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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