The Golem (1915)

In this version of the golem legend, the golem, a clay statue brought to life by Rabbi Loew in 16th century Prague to save the Jews from the ongoing brutal persecution by the city's rulers,... See full summary »

Directors:

Henrik Galeen, Paul Wegener

Writers:

Henrik Galeen, Paul Wegener

Stars:

Paul Wegener, Henrik Galeen, Lyda Salmonova

Cast

Credited cast:
Paul Wegener	...	Golem
Henrik Galeen	...	Troedler
Lyda Salmonova	...	Jessica
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rudolf Blümner	...	Gelehrter
Robert A. Dietrich
Carl Ebert	...	Troedler
Jakob Tiedtke

Storyline

In this version of the golem legend, the golem, a clay statue brought to life by Rabbi Loew in 16th century Prague to save the Jews from the ongoing brutal persecution by the city's rulers, is found in the rubble of an old synagogue in the 20th century. Brought to life by an antique dealer, the golem is used as a menial servant. Eventually falling in love with the dealer's wife, it goes on a murderous rampage when its love for her goes unanswered.

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Plot Keywords:

monster | psychotronic film | golem | love | synagogue | 

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Genres:

Horror

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Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

8 April 1915 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

The Golem

Filming Locations:

Bioscop-Atelier, Neubabelsberg, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Deutsche Bioscop GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This lost film (please check your attic) is often confused with director Paul Wegener second and readily available interpretation of the legend; The Golem (1920). To add to the confusion, Danish director Urban Gad reportedly made his own Golem movie in 1916, although it is doubtful that Gad's movie was ever completed or even made it into production.

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Connections

Referenced in Century of Cinema: Die Nacht der Regisseure (1995)

User Reviews

Expressionist Classic

The cinematography in this movie is STUNNING. One feels as though one were a captive in an alternate dimension of reality; an almost Lovecraftian world where the very geometry of the buildings seems to writhe and come to life. The atmosphere of Budapest in the Middle Ages seems to be captured perfectly. After the Jews being ousted from the town by royal decree, the leader of the Jewish community crafts the Golem out of clay and brings him to life in a black magical ceremony (interesting to note that among the crimes accused of the Jews in the edict, one was witchcraft). The Golem then is brought before the king and results in the Jews being allowed to remain. But the Golem falls in love(!) with a young lady and runs amok. The story is a classic and there is a considerable amount of drama here, but the real gem of this movie are the incredible visuals and the atmosphere. One of the greatest expressionist classics ever made. Far superior to "Caligari" in my opinion.