Phantom (1922)

A shiftless young man becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman and yearns to find her again.

Director:

F.W. Murnau

Writers:

Gerhart Hauptmann (based on the novel by), Thea von Harbou (adapted for the screen by)

Stars:

Alfred Abel, Frida Richard, Aud Egede-Nissen

Cast

Cast overview:
Alfred Abel	...	Lorenz Lubota
Frida Richard	...	Lubotas Mutter / Lubota's Mother (as Frieda Richard)
Aud Egede-Nissen	...	Melanie Lubota
Hans Heinrich von Twardowski	...	Hugo Lubota (as H.H. v. Twardowski)
Adolf Klein	...	Eisenwarenhändler Harlan
Olga Engl	...	Harlans Frau / Harlan's Wife
Lya De Putti	...	Veronika Harlan / Mellitta (as Lya de Putti)
Ilka Grüning	...	Baronin / Baroness
Grete Berger	...	Pfandleiherin Schwabe / Pawnbroker Schwabe
Anton Edthofer	...	Wigottschinski
Karl Etlinger	...	Buchbinder Starke / Bookbinder Starke (as Karl Ettlinger)
Lil Dagover	...	Marie Starke
Heinrich Witte	...	Amtsdiener / Clerk
Wilhelm Diegelmann	...	Literary Editor
Gerhart Hauptmann	...	Self in Opening Credits

Storyline

Lorenz Lubota is a city clerk with no direction in life. One day on his way to work he is run over by a woman driving a chariot and he is immediately infatuated with her. His life begins to spiral out of control as he searches for this girl and tries to win her heart.

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Plot Keywords:

woman | expressionism | silent film | silent movie | one word title | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was considered lost for a long time but is now available in good condition.

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Goofs

When Lorenz'a Aunt Schwabe reads his letter of termination, she is wearing gloves, but the close up of the letter shows a bare hand holding it.

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Crazy Credits

In the opening credits Lya De Putti only appears credited as Mellitta. The "actress" who plays the role of Veronika Harlan appears credited only as "x x x".

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Alternate Versions

In 2003, Flicker Alley, LLC copyrighted a new digital version with English intertitles and a new orchestral score composed, arranged and conducted by 'Robert Israel (II)'. It was produced by Jeffery Masino and runs 117 minutes.

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Connections

Featured in Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood: The Unchained Camera (1995)

User Reviews

Excellent drama

Silent German film about a meek, mild man who seems to have no life or goals. Then he meets a blond-haired girl riding a chariot. He immediately falls in love with her. It leads to his downfall ending in murder. But there is redemption.

This silent film was long believed to be lost. Thankfully it's been rediscovered which is great--this is a wonderful drama. My synopsis may sound a little strange but this is a hard film to describe--you have to see it to understand. It's beautifully directed by F.W. Muranu--many elaborate camera tricks and fade ins and outs. Also it deals with some touchy subjects such as prostitution (never called that but it's there). The acting is a little over the top but that's to be expected in silent movies. But there is a wonderful (if frightening) performance by Grete Berger as Mrs. Schwibe. My only complaint is that this film is shown in flashback which somewhat dilutes the drama (that's why I'm only giving it a 9). Still, this is a great silent film. It's not up to Muranu's "Nosferatu" or "Sunrise"--but then what is? Well worth seeing.

Details

Country:

Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

13 November 1922 (Germany)

Also Known As:

The Phantom

Filming Locations:

Bioscop-Atelier, Neubabelsberg, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Uco-Film GmbH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min 117 min (TCM print) 145 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1