Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Phantom" is a German 2-hour film from almost 95 years ago directed by European silent film legend Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau/Plumpe. It is one of his longer films in terms of runtime, but not one of his most famous really. Admittedly, it is still somewhat known and also not one of his least famous works. But it's very mediocre for the most part. The actors include a couple solid names, but big stars are not included in the cast here and the story is not too convincing either. The genre is certainly something else compared to Murnau's films usually being about horror or mystery, so this is maybe the only reason that makes this film worth a watch. Sadly, the material is far from sufficient for a film that runs for 120 minutes.Apart from that, it is the usual: black-and-white, silent and could have needed a lot more intertitles. It is based on a novel by Gerhart Hauptmann and the one who adapted it is Thea von Harbou, Fritz Lang's longtime collaborator. Sadly, all these big names did not result in a great or even good film. Actually, the outcome is very much forgettable from start to finish and that is why I give it a thumbs-down. Only worth checking out for the most hardcore silent film fans.
zetes
Minor Murnau, but pretty good. He made this one right after Nosferatu. Alfred Abel (of Metropolis) stars as a man who lives along with his sister (Aud Egede Nissen) with their mother (Frida Richard). Abel falls for beautiful rich girl Lya De Putti, and then later with a gold digger who looks exactly like her (also played by De Putti). A bookstore owner convinces Abel that he is a great poet, and he borrows a bunch of money from his rich aunt, who thinks he'll soon be rich, to impress De Putti and help out his sister's criminal boyfriend. The story and acting are pretty good. The cinematic experiments are not as daring as they are in Nosferatu, but there are several impressive special effects peppered throughout the picture.
whpratt1
Enjoyed this silent film from 1922 with great German directors and plenty of talented people. This story starts out with a family consisting of two brothers, sister and a mother who are not very well off and the sister hates her life and gets in a fight with her mother and she turns to the streets and the fast lane in life. Lorenz Lubota, (Alfred Abel) is one of the brothers who loves to read books and is also a poet and works as a clerk for the city. One day Lorenz was walking in the street and a blonde girl is driving a chariot and runs him down, the girl checks to see that he is okay but Lorenz immediately falls in love with this girl. After this event in Lorenz's life he completely goes crazy and his life changes for the worst and he gets involved with money that does not belong to him. Grete Berger gives a great supporting role as a pawnbroker, Schwabe. Enjoy
preppy-3
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.
AD
