Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Bernhard Goetzke | ... | Death / Der Tod / El Mot / Bogner / Archer | |
Lil Dagover | ... | Young Woman / Das junge Mädchen / Zobeide / Monna Fiametta / Tiao Tsien | |
Walter Janssen | ... | Young Man / Der junge Mann / Franke / Giovan Francesco / Liang | |
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Hans Sternberg | ... | Mayor / Bürgermeister |
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Karl Rückert | ... | Reverend (as Carl Rückert) |
Max Adalbert | ... | Notary / Notar / Schatzmeister / Chancellor | |
Wilhelm Diegelmann | ... | Doctor / Arzt | |
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Erich Pabst | ... | Teacher / Lehrer |
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Karl Platen | ... | Pharmacist / Apotheker |
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Hermann Picha | ... | Taylor / Schneider |
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Paul Rehkopf | ... | Grave-Digger / Küster |
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Max Pfeiffer | ... | Night Watchman / Nachtwächter |
Georg John | ... | Beggar / Bettler | |
Lydia Potechina | ... | Landlady / Wirtin | |
Grete Berger | ... | Mother / Mutter |
As a young couple stops and rests in a small village inn, the man is abducted by Death and is sequestered behind a huge doorless, windowless wall. The woman finds a mystic entrance and is met by Death, who tells her three separate stories set in exotic locales, all involving circumstances similar to hers. In each story, a woman, trying to save her lover from his ultimate tragic fate, fails. The young lady realizes the meaning of the tales and takes the only step she can to reunite herself with her lover. Written by Doug Sederberg <vornoff@sonic.net>
I really was impressed by Fritz Lang's "Destiny". It seemed like the pictorialization of a timeless German fable rather than a figment of Lang's imagination. The story of a young woman in medieval times whose beloved fiancée is taken by death while they travel through a small village, it is timelessly haunting even now. It must have really hit people hard in 1921 Germany, three years after the death and destruction of WWI. The framing story is set around three mini-stories set in ancient Persia, Renaissance Venice and China. These stories are well done and diverting, but also a bit distracting from the poignant main story which was what I really responded to. Lang seemed totally assured and powerful as a filmmaker even in 1921. Lil Dagover was affecting as the heroine and Bernhard Goetzke gave a powerful and moving performance as Death. He was also great in Joe May's "The Indian Tomb" released in 1921 also. I highly recommend "Destiny" or "Der Mude Tod" to anyone at all interested in silent film or the career of Fritz Lang.