Movie Review: Tabu: A Story of the South Seas

Tabu: A Story of the South Seas

Murnau-Flaherty Productions, USA, 1931. 

It the first chapter "Paradise" Polynesian way of life is depicted. Boys are fishing with spears. The Boy (Matahi) sees bathing beauties and joins the fun. The boy playfully teases Reri (Anne Chevalier). The other girls laugh at her and a catfight ensues. 

Matahi

The Captain

Meanwhile the chief calls the natives together. A ship is coming. On the ship is emissary Hitu bringing a message from message from the chief of Fanuma. Sacred Virgin has died and Fanuma needs a new one. Reri is selected as the new one. No man can touch her. Reri is Tabu! The Boy, Matahi will not allow that to happen. He kidnaps Reri. If they are found Matahi will be killed and Reri sacrified to gods. 

Reri

Hitu

The Policeman

Second chapter: "Paradise Lost." The doomed lovers escape to white man's island. The ship comes to find them. The Policeman (Bill Bambridge) gets orders to arrest them. Matahi buys their freedom with a pearl. But they can not escape the watchful eye of Hitu! 

Reri and Matahi

This is a silent classic from the 1930s. It was co-production of F.W. Murnau and Robert J. Flaherty (Nanook of the North) and it was also Murnau's last film. Flaherty and Murnay had some artistic differences as Flaherty would have wanted to make the film a documentary. Finally Murnau directed the film alone. Murnau died in a car crash before he could see the film in premiere.

The film was filmed in Bora Bora, French Polynesia and it used local actors. The local people and real locations  give it a realistic level although the actors were strictly instructed how to pose in dramatic scenes. The romantic tale has exciting turns with pearl diving, and even an appearance of a man-eating shark. The Oscar-winning cinematography by Floyd Crosby looks beautiful. Although it was censored in 1930s the modern DVDs "contain natural nudity."

Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#46. Movie about indigenous peoples or their culture)

Rating: Very good

Starring: Matahi, Anne Chevalier (as Reri), Hitu, Bill Bambridge (as Jean), Jules, Kong Ah 

Director: F.W. Murnau

Movie Review: Twilight of a Woman's Soul (Sumerki zhenskoi dushi)

Twilight of a Woman's Soul (Sumerki zhenskoi dushi)

"Star" Film Factory (A. Khanzhonkov and Pathé Frères). Russia, 1913. 

Aristocrat lady Vera Dubovskaja (Nina Chernova) feels lonely. His mother the Countess asks her to accompany her when she visits the poor. Vera Decides to devote her life to helping the poor. Apprentice Maxim (V. Demert) becomes obsessed with Vera. He exploits the benefactor and rapes her. Vera stabs Maxim to death. 

Vera Dubovskaja

Maxim

Vera visits the poor

After returning home and recovering Vera is introduced to Prince Dolskij (A. Ugrjumov). Later the Prince proposes Vera, but the guilty conscience haunts her. The Prince promises to love her despite what ever she has done. After the wedding Vera tells everything and the Prince gets furious. Vera leaves. Later Prince regrets and hires a private detective to find Vera but she has gone abroad. Vere becomes an independent actor and the Prince loses his will to live.

Prince Dolskij

The past haunts Vera

The Prince gets furious

The works of Evgenii (or Yevgeni) Bauer were hidden in the Russian archives until the last days of Soviet regime. He had a brief but productive career before his premature death caused by health complications. In 1913-1917 he made 80 movies of which little over 20 survived. His style was influential to later Russian cinema and nowadays he is respected as a pioneer filmmaker.

Many of his films were tragic romances. "Twilight of a Woman's Soul" is his earliest surviving film. The use of lighting is innovative and the psychological drama is effective. The sets are well decorated with sumptuous aristocrat apartments and mirthless worker housings. Some double exposure tricks are used in dream scene. The story is quite straightforward (whole film is only 49 minutes) but the actors convey the emotions effectively.

Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#18. Movie that is made over 100 years ago)

Rating: Good

Starring: Nina Chernova, A. Ugrjumov, V. Demert, Vitali Brianski

Director: Evgenii Bauer

Movie Review: The Man Who Laughs

The Man Who Laughs

Universal Pictures, USA, 1928.

Based on novel "The Man Who Laughs" by Victor Hugo.

In the 17th Century England rebellious Lord Clancharlie (Conrad Veidt) refuses to kiss King James II's (Sam De Grasse) hand. Barkilphedro the Jester (Brandon Hurst) suggests selling the son Gwynplaine to Comprachicos surgeons who carve a permanent grin on his face. Then Clancharlie is executed with the Iron Lady.

Barkilphedro the Jester

The boy (Julius Molnar) stranded from the ship of exiled gypsies wanders through nightmarish landscape of hanged corpses. He finds an orphaned and blind baby girl. Philosopher Ursus (Cesare Gravina) gives shelter to them. Ursus has also a tame wolf named Homo. Years go by and Gwynplaine (Conrad Veidt) becomes a famous entertainer and clown. Dea (Mary Philbin, who also appeared in "The Phantom of the Opera") grows up to be a beautiful girl. Gwynplaine and Dea are in love but Gwynlaine is afraid. Would Dea still want to marry him if she could see his grotesque face?

Nightmarish landscape

Young Gwynplaine

The fair

Dr. Hardquanonne (George Siegmann) who mutilated Gwynplaine's face sees him in a sideshow. Duchess Josiana (Olga Baclanova, later appeared in "Freaks") inherited the estates of Lord Clancharlie. Hardquanonne blackmails Josiana with information about Clancharlie's son. King has died and Queen Anne (Josephine Crowell) reigns. Barkilphedro intercepts the blackmail letter and tells about the heir to Queen Anne.

Gwynplaine and Dea

Hardquanones messenger (Joe Murphy)

Barkilphedro and Queen Anne

Frivolous Josiana wants to see the famous Laughing Man. Josiana becomes fascinated and invites Gwynplaine to visit. As Josiana has seen his face and may be able to love him, Gwynplaine figures out that it is okay to marry Dea! But Gwynplaine must know it for sure so he goes to see Josiana. Getting away from the lusty seductress becomes difficult as Queen sends a letter and orders that Josiana must marry Gwynplaine. What will happen to Dea then?

Gwynplaine is thoughtful

Josiana

Yikes! thinks Gwynplaine

"The Man Who Laughs" is a silent film with orchestral score, some songs and even some shouts. Being a late era silent movie, the camera work quality is the highest level of the era. Camera moves freely and the style looks like German silent Expressionist movies. The invention of sound cinema was actually step backwards in cinematography as the sound equipment made the camera stationary again. The light and dark are used well.

Dea and Ursus

Ship with creepy lighting

Although it was a success when released, it hasn't gained similar reputation as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" or "The Phantom of the Opera" or Universal's monster films. One reason may be that the original novel is not one of Victor Hugo's best known. Sadly the movie almost faded into obscurity but seems to have surfaced again in the recent years. The movie has a surprising legacy: Bill Finger, Jerry Robinson and Bob Kane created Batman's archenemy The Joker based on the looks of Gwynplaine. Frankly, I would probably not know about this film if I hadn't seen the poster somewhere in the Internet. But as Gwynplaine is the sympathetic hero of the story, maybe The Joker inherited his evil character from Barkilphedro. Also Universal's monster movies seem to have been influenced by this film, the final scenes have a bit similar mood as in "Frankenstein" (1931). With sideshow theme it also has a link to "Freaks."

Except for the gloomy beginning Paul Leni's movie is not horror but romantic drama with palace intrigue and adventure. The story is not without some humour either. Conrad Veidt's acting is excellent with his eyes showing the pain of a man who is condemned to smile forever. All the performances are good. Mary Philbin's character is sweet and Olga Baclanova's party girl is fun to watch.

Paul Leni's career as film director was short, he died in 1929. Although he was a talent on par with F.W. Murnau and Fritz Lang, most of his films are unknown to audiences except most hardcore silent film enthusiasts. In fact all of Paul Leni's films are quite difficult to find on DVD. "The Man Who Laughs" is probably the easiest to get, this DVD was published by Spanish Tribanda Pictures with English captions. There is also French DVD by Films sans Frontières and American Region 1 DVD by Kino Video.

Part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#20. Movie you chose purely because of the cover picture or poster)

Rating: Very good

Starring: Mary Philbin, Conrad Veidt, Julius Molnar, Olga Baclanova, Brandon Hurst, Cesare Gravina, Stuart Holmes, Sam De Grasse, George Siegmann, Josephine Crowell, Charles Puffy, Zimbo the Dog, Delmo Fritz, Deno Fritz, Henry A. Barrows, Richard Bartlett, Les Bates, Charles Brinley, Carmen Castillo, Allan Cavan, D'Arcy Corrigan, Carrie Daumery, Howard Davies, Nick De Ruiz, Louise Emmons, J.C. Fowler, John George, Jack A. Goodrich, Charles Hancock, Lila LaPon, Torben Meyer, Joe Murphy, Edgar Norton, Broderick O'Farrell, Lon Poff, Frank Puglia, Henry Roquemore, Templar Saxe, Allan Sears, Scott Seaton, Louis Stern, Al Stewart, Anton Vaverka

Director: Paul Leni

Movie Review: Nosferatu (1922)

Nosferatu (Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens) a.k.a Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror a.k.a Nosferatu, a Symphony of Terror a.k.a Terror of Dracula 

Jofa-Atelier Berlin-Johannisthal, Prana-Film GmbH, Germany, 1922. 

This movie is part of Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack by Mill Creek Entertainment. 

Based on novel "Dracula" by Bram Stoker.

Diary of historian Johann Cavallius tells about horrible vampire Nosferatu who brought the plague to Bremen in 1838. In that fateful year young estate agent Jonathon Harker or Hutter in the original German version (Gustav von Wangenheim) is leaving his wife Nina or Ellen (Greta Schröder) to go on a business trip. Creepy estate agent Renfield or Knock (Alexander Granach) sends Harker to Transylvania because Count Dracula or Orlok in the German version (Max Schreck) wants to buy a house in Bremen. 

Nina/Ellen

Harker/Hutter

Renfield/Knock

In Transylvania people are shocked to hear that Harker is going to visit Dracula. In his hotel room Harker finds a book about vampires. Harker is not scared at all but happily continues his voyage. In the castle he noticed that the Count has weird affection to blood. The Count sees picture of Harker's wife and decides that he likes her throat. It is also abnormal that the Count sleeps in a coffin. Harker and Nina start feeling nervous. The Count packs up his coffins and travels to Bremen in a ship. Soon sailors start having bite marks on their necks. 

Dracula/Orlok

Packing up

Van Helsing/Bulfer

Harker suffers a mental breakdown that delays him from returning home. Meanwhile in Bremen Professor Van Helsing (John Gottowt, Prof. Bulfer in German version) lectures about vampires of the animal kingdom. Renfield is under vampire's spell and has gone to mental asylum. Also sleepwalking Nina is eagerly waiting for the Count. The ship arrives to harbour bringing plague into the town. Harker tries to save Nina with help from the Professor.

The estate of Bram Stoker wanted the film destroyed because of copyright reasons, but luckily some copies of the film were saved. Being one of the earliest vampire film it was influential in creating the mythos that would be later present in vampire films. Murnau used innovative effects and shadow to build a creepy atmosphere. Stop-motion animation was used to demonstrate the supernatural speed of the vampire. One of the most memorable scenes is Nosferatu rising straight up from his coffin. 

Max Schreck is the ugliest and unsexy Dracula ever seen: thin, bald and having rat-like fangs and terrible fingernails. The later films with Bela Lugosi created archetype of more gentleman type handsome Carpathian vampire. It can not be considered very scary by modern standards but the nightmarish atmosphere and darkly beautiful cinematography with decaying buildings make it one of the best vampire films. "Nosferatu" is also one of the most important silent horror films and should be watched by everyone.

The Mill Creek version is 80 minutes and the intertitles refer to the characters as their original names from Bram Stoker's book. The soundtrack consists of ominous organ music. (I have also better quality 2005/06 restored version of this film that runs 94 minutes and has orchestral score.)

Let's make this part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge (#23. Black and white movie)

Rating: Excellent

Starring: Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder, Georg H. Schnell, Ruth Landshoff, Gustav Botz, Alexander Granach, John Gottowt, Max Nemetz, Wolfgang Heinz, Albert Venohr, Eric van Viele, Karl Etlinger, Guido Herzfeld, Hans Lanser-Rudolf, Loni Nest, Fanny Schreck, Hardy von Francois, Heinrich Witte 

Director: F.W. Murnau

Movie Review: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame 

Universal Pictures, USA, 1923. 

This movie is part of Horror Classics 50 Movie Pack by Mill Creek Entertainment. 

Based on the novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Victor Hugo.

Notre Dame Cathedral is a sanctuary for the persecuted. The hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasimodo (Lon Chaney) lives there working as the bell ringer. King Louis XI (Tully Marshall) oppresses the people. The Festival of Fools is celebrated in the cathedral square. King of beggars Clopin (Ernest Torrence) is not the friend of Arch-deacon Dom Claude (Nigel De Brulier). Also Arch-deacon's brother Jehan (Brandon Hurst) scorns his brother.

Quasimodo

Dom Claude

Jehan

Gypsy girl Esmeralda (Patsy Ruth Miller) is Clopin's foster daughter. Gudule (Gladys Brockwell) hates Esmeralda because the gypsies stole her baby (who would coincidentally be just the same age as Esmeralda, hmm?) In the festival Quasimodo is chosen as the King of the Fools. He sees Esmeralda dance and falls in love. 

Esmeralda

Gudule

Gringoire

Sword-hero and ladies man Phoebus de Chateaupers (Norman Kerry) is made Captain of the Guard. Fleur de Lys (Winifred Bryson) is his fiancee. Also Phoebus falls in love with Esmeralda. Quasimodo is Jehan's slave so Jehan orders Quasimodo to kidnap Esmeralda but Phoebus and his guards save her. Jehan escapes and Quasimodo gets the blame. The beggars almost hang street poet Gringoire (Raymond Hatton) but Esmeralda stops them. Gringoire becomes Esmeralda's friend and messenger. Next day Quasimodo is whipped as punishment. Esmeralda pities him and brings him water.

Phoebus and Fleur de Lys

Esmeralda shows sympathy towards Quasimodo

Clopin

Jehan makes a deal with Clopin to get Esmeralda in exchange for the treasures of the church. First Clopin must get rid of Phoebus. Quasimodo must save Esmeralda and protect the Cathedral from the angry mob.

Most of the film adaptations change the ending so that at least Esmeralda survives. Depending on the adaptation she ends up with either Gringoire or Phoebus. What makes the 1923 version slightly different than the other adaptations of the story is that the villain is not Dom Claude but his brother Jehan and Dom Claude is a saintly and benevolent priest. Possibly the change was made to keep the Church happy. Lon Chaney Sr. is brilliant with makeup effects that look great even today. The group scenes look spectacular with hundreds of extras. The film suffers slightly from too many characters and side plots crammed into relatively short movie leaving little room for Quasimodo as Clopin's revolution plans, love story of Esmeralda and Phoebus and plottings of Jehan take most of the time. Still it is probably the most iconic adaptation of Hugo's book.

The Mill Creek version runs 101 minutes. The print is at times very scratchy but still watchable. The soundtrack is quite fun with nice score and even sound effects are present.

Let's make this part of The 2016 Movie Watching Challenge. (Challenge #17. Movie based on classic story for example fairy tale, Shakespeare's play or literary classic)

Rating: Very good

Starring: Lon Chaney, Patsy Ruth Miller, Norman Kerry, Kate Lester, Winifred Bryson, Nigel De Brulier, Brandon Hurst, Ernest Torrence, Tully Marshall, Harry von Meter, Raymond Hatton, Nick De Ruiz, Eulalie Jensen, Roy Laidlaw, Ray Myers, William Parke Sr., Gladys Brockwell, John Cossar, Edwin Wallock
Director: Wallace Worsley