With paul wegener, albert steinruck, ernst deutsch, lyda salmonova. Though it was actually the third time directorstar paul wegener had played the eponymous creation, the earlier efforts sadly lost were rough drafts for this elaborate dramatization of the jewish legend. In the 16th century, the jews of prague face persecution. He began his career on stage in 1895, and remained true to this profession till his death. His first version of the tale the golem 1915, now lost was a success and firmly established wegener s reputation. He first heard about it while working in prague on his film the student of prague in 19, and shortly afterwards he set to work making a new film inspired by the legend. The german director paul wegener began his career in film as an actor, and in 19, working on the student of prague, came across an old jewish legend.
When, during an astrology session, he foresees the impending downfall of the. At the beginning of the dvds scrapbook, there is a quote from paul wegener that says he never thought the golem was an expressionist film. The role of the golem offered wegener the perfect opportunity to. Paul wegener s landmark gothic horror film was first released in 1914, before being substantially reworked for a reissue six years later. Paul wegener celebrity profile check out the latest paul wegener photo gallery, biography, pics, pictures, interviews, news, forums and blogs at rotten tomatoes. Using sorcery, he brings the creature to life in order to protect the jews of prague from persecution. Rabbi loew is an elderly tyrannic single familyfather, hobbyastronomer and futureteller. In 16thcentury prague, a rabbi creates the golem a giant creature made of clay. Since 1998, dvd netflix has been the premier dvdbymail rental service. In the jewish ghetto in 16th century prague, rabbi low albert streinruck, asphalt creates a forbidding clay golem played by director paul wegener to protect his people from the tyrannical emperor luhois otto gebuhr. For paul wegener, the story of the golem proved so fascinating that he retold it again and again, rewriting it, directing it, and playing the creature himself, in a remarkable artistic quest to understand the tyrannical power of religious myth. Fragments of the golem is available for free download at the internet archive the golem on imdb the golem at. His birthplace is currently part of poland, under the name jarantowice.
Paul wegener was born in arnoldsdorf, west prussia, part of the german empire. These films represent the first known sequel and prequel in film history. Reverting to his inanimate form, the golem is given the gift of life once more by a rabbis assistant who wants him to kidnap. Brought to life with a demon spirit and an amulet placed in the center of the creatures chest, the golem is a seemingly indestructible juggernaut, performing acts of great. The movie doesnt mainly appear as a narrative about antisemitism to me, although the emperor bans all jews from the cityterritory and sets an ultimatum for their leave with an edict. The golem, a clay hulk brought to life by a magic scroll implanted in his chest, saves the jews from rudolf ii in 16th century prague. The golem in expressionist film and theater monmouth university.
Cast paul wegener, albert steinruck, lyda salmonova, ernst deutsch. Paul wegener was a german actor known for his pioneering roles in expressionist films. Golem trilogy 199193, and postmodern novels such as michael chabons the great adventures of kavalier and clay 2000. In 16th century prague, a rabbi creates the golem a giant creature made of clay. Paul wegener in the magician 1926 german postcard by. The german actor and director paul wegener 1874 1948 made many films, but hes particularly remembered for his three films centred around the jewish legend of the golem 1. In medieval prague, rabbi loew albert steinruck observes the stars and concludes that. Eventually falling in love with the dealers wife, it goes on a murderous rampage when its love for her goes unanswered. They were made by the german actor and filmmaker paul wegener, who also plays the part of the golem. Make your movie list and get blurays and dvds conveniently delivered to you with free shipping both ways. Actordirector paul wegener made three films built around the mythical creature of jewish legend. The golem 1915 directed by henrik galeen, paul wegener. In this version of the golem legend, the golem, a clay statue brought to life by rabbi loew. It was inspired by an ancient jewish legend, the most prevalent version of the myth involving 16th century rabbi judah loew ben bezalel who created the golem to protect his people from antisemites.
Paul wegener starred as the titular creature, as well as codirecting the film with carl boese and cowriting the script with henrik galeen based on gustav meyrinks 1915 novel. Wegener maintained a career throughout and after the nazi era, starring in his last film in 1948. Rent paul wegener movies and tv shows on dvd and bluray. He can also be considered a father of horror for his breakout role in the student of prague 19. Download all yts yify movies torrents for free in 720p, 1080p, 4k and 3d quality. Rabbi loew creates a giant golem out of clay, to protect the people. At the age of 20, wegener decided to end his law studies and concentrate on acting, touring the. Wegener s family included a number of scientists, the most notable being his cousin alfred wegener. With paul wegener, henrik galeen, lyda salmonova, rudolf blumner. Paul wegener 11 december 1874 september 1948 was a german actor, writer and film director known for his pioneering role in german expressionist cinema. This is the one film which has survived and is regarded among the landmarks of early german expressionism. Paul wegener was a german actor, writer and film director known for his pioneering role in german expressionist cinema.