Flesh and the Devil (1927)

Childhood friends are torn apart when one of them marries the woman the other once fiercely loved.

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Benjamin Glazer (screen play), Hermann Sudermann (from the novel "The Undying Past" by),

Stars:

John Gilbert, Greta Garbo, Lars Hanson

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Gilbert	...	Leo von Harden
Greta Garbo	...	Felicitas von Rhaden
Lars Hanson	...	Ulrich von Eltz
Barbara Kent	...	Hertha
William Orlamond	...	Uncle Kutowski
George Fawcett	...	Pastor Voss
Eugenie Besserer	...	Leo's Mother
Marc McDermott	...	Count von Rhaden
Marcelle Corday	...	Minna

Storyline

Leo and Ulrich are life long friends. Home, on leave from their military training, Leo sees the beautiful Felicitas at the railroad station. Awed by her beauty, they meet again at the ball and quietly leave together. In her room, her husband, about whom she has neglected to inform Leo, comes in and challenges Leo to a duel. The duel is done, the Count is killed, and Felicitas is a widow. Leo, however, is 'requested' to serve 5 years in Africa and he tells Ulrich to watch over Felicitas while he is gone. After 3 years, Ulrich is able to get a pardon for Leo, and all that Leo thinks about on the way home is Felicitas. When he arrives, he learns that Felicitas has married Ulrich. Felicitas likes that Ulrich is rich and she never told Ulrich the truth about Leo and her. Leo is crushed and does not visit them which saddens Ulrich as he does not know the reason why. Leo tries to stay away from her, but Felicitas uses every opportunity to tempt him to return to her as her lover. She creating...

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Plot Keywords:

duel | love triangle | friendship | love | widow | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Release Date:

9 January 1927 (USA)

Also Known As:

El demonio y la carne

Box Office

Budget:

$373,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min 112 min (1988 sound)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was such a commercial success for MGM Studios and such a breakout film for Greta Garbo, that she was considered 12% of the entire studio's value by 1927.

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Goofs

When Leo is talking to Felicitas on the bench in the park and tells her that he must go to Africa, the position of the collar of his overcoat repeatedly changes from pulled up to flat.

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Quotes

Pastor Voss: My Boy, when the devil cannot reach us through the spirit... He creates a woman beautiful enough to reach us through the flesh.

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Connections

Featured in The Divine Garbo (1990)

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Soundtracks

"ATRA"
(1926) (uncredited)
Music by William Rose
Lyrics by S.S. Wilson

User Reviews

Divine

I recently watched this movie again after having not seen it in over two years. What was I thinking? I had forgotten what a fantastic movie this was, particularly as I saw it with the Carl Davis composed soundtrack which enhances it even more. It begins in such a lighthearted vein and then transforms into one of the most breathtaking romances ever filmed, the chemistry between Garbo and Gilbert is sizzling hot and Garbo's character has to be one of the biggest bitches in movie history. The photography is stunning and stands up well against anything filmed today, particularly the waltz and the duel. Everyone remembers Garbo and Gilbert in this movie, but, there is a standout performance by Lars Hanson as the innocent and cuckolded Ulrich, once again, as in "The Wind" he wrenches out every last last drop of sympathy for his character with his wonderful acting, he was a true hidden treasure of the silent era. A must see movie.