The Last Command (1928)

A former Imperial Russian general and cousin of the Czar ends up in Hollywood as an extra in a movie directed by a former revolutionary.

Director:

Josef von Sternberg

Writers:

Lajos Biró (story), John F. Goodrich,

Stars:

Emil Jannings, Evelyn Brent, William Powell

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Emil Jannings	...	Gen. Dolgorucki / Grand Duke Sergius Alexander
Evelyn Brent	...	Natalie Dabrova
William Powell	...	Lev Andreyev
Jack Raymond	...	Assistant director
Nicholas Soussanin	...	The adjutant
Michael Visaroff	...	Serge (the valet)
Fritz Feld	...	A revolutionist

Storyline

A decorated, aristocratic Czarist General is reduced to penury after the collapse of Imperial Russia. An old adversary, now a successful director hires the general to re-enact the revolution which deposed him.

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Plot Keywords:

hollywood | bolshevik | russian revolution | train wreck | whip | 

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Taglines:

EMIL JANNINGS -- World's finest dramatic actor in a brilliant successor to "The Way of all Flesh" -- and "Variety." You'll be amazed with Janning's tremendous role of the mighty general!...with men...women...a whole nation at his feet! Through flaming love...adoration...hate! To...! The most terrific climax the screen has ever known!

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 1928 (Finland)

Also Known As:

A Última Ordem

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 104 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the life of General Lodijensky, a former general in the Russian army of Czar Nicholas, who fled Russia after the 1917 Communist revolution and wound up in Hollywood, where he worked for a while as a movie extra.

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Quotes

The adjutant: [Demanding Natalie from a revolutionary] That woman belongs with me. She goes with the coat!

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Connections

Referenced in Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood (1995)

User Reviews

Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen

An extra is called upon to play a general in a movie about the Russian Revolution. However, he is not any ordinary extra. He is Serguis Alexander, former commanding general of the Russia armies who is now being forced to relive the same scene, which he suffered professional and personal tragedy in, to satisfy the director who was once a revolutionist in Russia and was humiliated by Alexander. It can now be the time for this broken man to finally "win" his penultimate battle. This is one powerful movie with meticulous direction by Von Sternberg, providing the greatest irony in Alexander's character in every way he can. Jannings deserved his Oscar for the role with a very moving performance playing the general at his peak and at his deepest valley. Powell lends a sinister support as the revenge minded director and Brent is perfect in her role with her face and movements showing so much expression as Jannings' love. All around brilliance. Rating, 10.