Destiny (1921)

When a woman's fiancé disappears, Death gives her three chances to save him from his fate.

Director:

Fritz Lang

Writers:

Fritz Lang, Thea von Harbou

Stars:

Bernhard Goetzke, Lil Dagover, Walter Janssen

2 nominations.

Cast

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
Hans Sternberg	...	Mayor / Bürgermeister
Karl Rückert	...	Reverend (as Carl Rückert)
Max Adalbert	...	Notary / Notar / Schatzmeister / Chancellor
Wilhelm Diegelmann	...	Doctor / Arzt
Erich Pabst	...	Teacher / Lehrer
Karl Platen	...	Pharmacist / Apotheker
Hermann Picha	...	Taylor / Schneider
Paul Rehkopf	...	Grave-Digger / Küster
Max Pfeiffer	...	Night Watchman / Nachtwächter
Georg John	...	Beggar / Bettler
Lydia Potechina	...	Landlady / Wirtin
Grete Berger	...	Mother / Mutter

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

expressionism | reaper | monster movie | silent film | silent movie | 

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Taglines:

The Movie That Inspired Hitchcock and Bunuel! (2016)

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alfred Hitchcock's favorite film.

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Quotes

Junge Maedchen: You dread, awful cactus, you!

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Alternate Versions

DVD "Destiny (Der müd Tod)" (c) 2000 by Film Preservation Associates, with English titles and inter-titles by Ulrich Ruedel, tinted with added musical score, running at 99 minutes.

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Connections

Featured in Regarding Buñuel (2000)

User Reviews

Haunting and lovely silent fable

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.

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

None German

Release Date:

30 January 1922 (Finland)

Also Known As:

The Weary Death

Filming Locations:

Studio Babelsberg, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,334, 22 May 2016

Gross USA:

$12,156

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,156

Company Credits

Production Co:

Decla-Bioscop AG

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min 105 min 94 min (2016 restoration)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White Color (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1