Variety

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Variety

1925,

1h 19m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

100%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

50+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

This silent German film tells a tale of jealousy, obsession and murder, set against the backdrop of the circus. Carnival owner "Boss" Huller (Emil Jannings) used to be a talented acrobat. Now he owns a lowbrow sideshow act with his wife. When he meets a beautiful young woman (Lya De Putti), he runs off with her, abandoning his family. But a strapping trapeze artist (Warwick Ward) soon lures away Huller's new lover. Huller then realizes he has swiftly moved from cheater to cuckold.

Evelyn Gerstein

The New Republic

Sep 3, 2021

It moves rhythmically, relentlessly towards its end, a perfectly coordinated work of art, each detail pertinent, illuminating, carved in the round. There is no gesture that is unconsidered, no planting of the camera that is not arresting and eloquent.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Sep 22, 2016

The way emotions play across [Jannings'] wide face it could practically be a movie screen itself.

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Mordaunt Hall

New York Times

Mar 25, 2006

This is a production which not only shows the way in which a story should be unfurled, but impresses one with the magic of the camera in picturing effects, such as the torrent of thoughts rushing through a maddened mind.

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Robert E. Sherwood

LIFE

Oct 2, 2021

It is another genuine demonstration of the amazing scope of the movies.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 26, 2020

3.5/4.0

Remains a vivid and powerful film to this day.

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Edwin Seaver

The New Masses

May 8, 2020

Variety riots in the beauty of materials, of things alive and perfect in themselves.

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Leia R

Aug 3, 2017

Tremendous German spectacle from their most prolific era of the 20's. Production is outstanding, visuals are dazzling, acting is superb. The intense performance of Emil Jannings is tour-de-force one must see, especially in the second half of the movie when he's trying to cope with jealousy. The suspense particularly in the acrobatic scenes is of high-level. No wonder Hitchcock admired this picture. This film is German "studio constructivism" at its best.

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E.A. Dupont

Director

Emil Jannings

Boss Huller

Maly Delschaft

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Lya De Putti

Bertha

Warwick Ward

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Synopsis

This silent German film tells a tale of jealousy, obsession and murder, set against the backdrop of the circus. Carnival owner "Boss" Huller (Emil Jannings) used to be a talented acrobat. Now he owns a lowbrow sideshow act with his wife. When he meets a beautiful young woman (Lya De Putti), he runs off with her, abandoning his family. But a strapping trapeze artist (Warwick Ward) soon lures away Huller's new lover. Huller then realizes he has swiftly moved from cheater to cuckold.

Director: E.A. Dupont
Producer: Erich Pommer
Screenwriter: E.A. Dupont
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 1h 19m

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