The Golem: How He Came into the World.

Review #861: The Golem: How He Came into the World.

Cast:
Albert Steinrück (Rabbi Loew), Paul Wegener (The Golem), Lyda Salmonova (Miriam), Ernst Deutsch (Loew's assistant), Lothar Müthel (Knight Florian), and Otto Gebühr (Emperor) Directed by Paul Wegener and Carl Boese.

Review:
It has been a while since the last time I reviewed a world cinema film, and it only made sense to a famous one from Germany, which was where the last world cinema film was from (#797 - People on Sunday). The Golem: How He Came into the World (known as Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam in Germany) was released on October 29, 1920, and it was the third Golem film made by Paul Wegener, with the other two being The Golem (1915) and The Golem and the Dancing Girl (1917). However, this is the only one that is not lost, and it happens to be a prequel to the previous two films as it shows how the golem (a mythical being created by inanimate matter by magic) is created. The film has been called an influence on the 1931 version of Frankenstein (#072), and I can see that in some parts, such as with the Golem himself, who lumbers around in a menacing matter one that somewhat resembles Karloff's movements 11 years later. In any case, Wegener (who also co-directed the film) does an excellent job, making the Golem a truly interesting monster with a fair amount of facial expression to him as well. It's also been used as an example of German Expressionism, with sylish angles and color tints that correspond excellently with the cinematography by Karl Freund and Guido Seeber. Steinruck does a favorable job, having the right sense of gravitas without becoming cartoonish in his movements. Salmonova is fair, though she isn't given much to do aside from the climax. It is interesting that the Golem isn't stopped by another monster or anything particularly brute in force, but by a child of all things. For anyone looking for a great piece of cinema from yesteryear (96 years) or some fine horror that works at its own pace, I would suggest this film as one you should check out. Happy Halloween.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Third Man.

Review #703: The Third Man.

Cast
Joseph Cotten (Holly Martins), Alida Valli (Anna Schmidt), Orson Welles (Harry Lime), Trevor Howard (Major Calloway), Bernard Lee (Sergeant Paine), Wilfrid Hyde-White (Crabbin), Erich Ponto (Dr. Winkel), and Ernst Deutsch (Baron Kurtz) Directed by Carol Reed.

Review
It's hard to put into words why this is a fine movie, but one of the main reasons is the fact the movie manages to be consistent in terms of its production. It never seems to stray from its suspenseful roots while also managing to have a good atmosphere around it as well. And yes, the zither music is the cornerstone of the unique strangeness that is this movie. Cotten and Valli are alright, and the ending with the two is what it is: an ending. Welles is only in the movie for the second half, but he sure makes up for it by just having a commanding presence while on screen, which all starts with how we first see him, which is his face, illuminated by a window light, as the movie segues into a chase that is pretty fun to watch. The scene at the end in the sewers is riveting to watch, especially when Lime gets his fingers out of the gate. That shot is just really excellent. The zither music is...certainly different from what film noirs had, and I don't think I've ever watched a movie with zither, so in a way the music is fine with me. The film is shot nicely, and the dutch angles work well with the tone the movie is going for, helping to make a good mystery.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.