Der letzte Mann (1924)

Director:

F.W. Murnau

Writer:

Carl Mayer (writer)

Release Date:

5 January 1925 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An aging doorman, after being fired from his prestigious job at a luxurious Hotel is forced to face the scorn of his friends, neighbours and society.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Uniform | Rain | Neighbor | Shadow

Cast

Emil Jannings	...	Hotelportier [hotel porter]
Maly Delschaft	...	Seine Nichte
Max Hiller	...	Ihr Bräutigam
Emilie Kurz	...	Tante des Bräutigams
Hans Unterkircher	...	Geschäftsführer [hotel manager]
Olaf Storm	...	Junger Gast
Hermann Vallentin	...	Spitzbäuchiger Gast
Georg John	...	Nachtwächter [night watchman]
Emmy Wyda	...	Dünne Nachbarin
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
O.E. Hasse

Also Known As:

The Last Laugh (USA)

Runtime:

77 min | Germany:101 min | Spain:90 min (DVD edition) | USA:90 min

Country:

Germany

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Portugal:M/6 (DVD rating) | Finland:S (1967) | Spain:T

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany

Company:

Universum Film (UFA)

Trivia:

Director F.W. Murnau and screenwriter Carl Mayer originally wanted the film to end with the death of the doorman at the bathroom. Executives at UFA pressed them to conjure up a happy ending before the film's premiere in order to maximize its economic potential. Murnau and Mayer, obviously annoyed by this, created a cynical epilogue, showing the doorman having inherited from an eccentric hotel guest, who bequeathed his entire estate to the last person seen before he died. The executives also pressed the artits to change the film's title from "The Last Man" to "The Last Laughter".

Goofs:

Continuity: When the porter comes home with the stolen coat, the third button down (which fell off earlier) is still there until a close-up of him at the door.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Los 5 Faust de F.W. Murnau (2002) (V)

Masterful

Der Letzte Mann is nothing short of the epitome of viewing pleasure. Beautifully shot, the urban landscape in which a noble doorman earns his keep (and humanity) is throughout dream-like, infused with a decidedly ethereal quality. Added to a magical visual backdrop is a haunting musical score, highlighted by sweeping cello chords which cut straight to the heart. With regard to prominent themes, the picture speaks volumes about the fragility of human existence and, specifically, human dignity. The shallow and arbitrary nature of a society bent predominantly on the acquisition and elevation of pecuniary wealth, as well as the perseverance of the individual through it all, is illustrated masterfully through both the zenith and nadir of the doorman's existence, as documented in this truly excellent work of the interwar period.