The Golem (Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam) poster & wallpaper
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Ralph Carney, Ernst Deutsch, Fritz Feld, Otto Gebuhr, Lathar Menthel ... see more see more... , Lyda Salmonova , Albert Steinrück , Paul Wegener , Hanns Sturm , Jason Carter , Duane Jarvis , Joseph Pope , Eric Drew Feldman

Actor-director Paul Wegener made three films built around the mythical creature of Jewish legend: Golem was released in 1914, and a sequel of sorts, Der Golem und die Tänzerin, came out in 1917. This ... read more read more...is the one film which has survived and is regarded among the landmarks of early German expressionism. In medieval Prague, Rabbi Loew (Albert Steinruck) observes the stars and concludes that trouble is brewing for his people. When the emperor issues a decree threatening the expulsion of Jews from the city, the rabbi, a master of magic, activates the Golem, a monstrous clay figure, to help save his congregation. The rabbi's daughter, Miriam (Lyda Salmonova, who also played this role in the 1914 film) is courted by two men, Famulus (Ernst Deutsch), the rabbi's assistant, and Knight Florian (Lathar Menthel), a messenger for the emperor. Famulus re-activates the Golem to vanquish his rival, and the monster goes berserk. Stylized sets and moody cinematography elevated Der Golem above the standard features of its time, its central figure has been the focus of a number of films produced in various countries, and the name has become a generic descriptor for any lumbering creature which can't be easily controlled. ~ Tom Wiener, Rovi

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58% want to see it

2,332 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: Carl Boese, Paul Wegener

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DVD Release Date: March 8, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (153)

  • ajv2688
    November 22, 2010
    ajv2688
    This movie is pretty magical for it's time, and the plot seems interesting at first, but I didn't understand how and if the Golem saved the jews in the end. It's not very clear.
  • DrBenway
    October 28, 2009
    DrBenway
    The film's special effects, musical score, and editing make it an easy entry in the classic horror genre. However, it takes a back seat when compared to its' peers. The vision of actor Paul Wegener clomping about in platform heels and starched wig is comical rather than an horrif... read moreic sight by modern audiences, but The Golem is a good story and Wegener and Carl Boese's direction is exceptional. The images are striking and many scenes will resonate in the mind, made all the more powerful through silent cinema.


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  • alice5mith
    December 18, 2009
    alice5mith
    More a tale than a horror movie, to be honest, but a good story very well done, with a strong message (not very safe to play by the God). Really beautiful sets and costumes... just like in a tale!


    Jewish issues are an interesting choice, especially in light of the end. I unders... read moretand that one of them still has that star and the story can restart anytime. It's just my imagination or is read so that they are an extremely powerful and dangerous people, because I have never heard that Jews had used witchcraft?
  • Hellshocked
    March 17, 2009
    Hellshocked
    could have sworn i reviewed this...
  • villainforhire
    October 6, 2008
    villainforhire
    fantastic scenery, great story that set the bar pretty high for every horror/monster movie that followed.
  • Hexenkult
    March 16, 2008
    Hexenkult
    An excellent silent film made in Germany and making great use of the expressionist style of filmmaking from that era. Made by the same studio that produced The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari that same year. It was one of the first "monster" movies as well; and was a huge influence on Ja... read moremes Whale when he made Frankenstein in 1931. It involves a Jewish community being persecuted by Christians. The Jewish rabbi uses "black magic" to bring a clay statue to life in order to protect them from the Christian emperor. The cinematographer, Karl Freund, would go on to lens Fritz Lang's Metropolis in 1927 and Tod Browning's Dracula in 1931, as well as directing The Mummy in 1932 and the excellent Mad Love in 1935; and in the 50's he was the director of photography for the "I Love Lucy" show.

View All The Golem (Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Don Druker
October 8, 2002
Don Druker, Chicago Reader

Of the four extant versions of this perennial horror classic, Paul Wegener's 1920 version remains the best. Full Review

September 19, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The Golem, carefully crafted and visually impressive work, has lost little of its power over the decades. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
December 15, 2003
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

This classic in horror is mainly enjoyed for its powerful visuals. Full Review

October 28, 2003
Film4

Paul Wegener directs and stars in an enduring example of German Expressionist horror, based on an ancient Jewish myth. Full Review

Harvey S. Karten
October 8, 2002
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve

Wes Craven could take some clues from Paul Wegener's concepts. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 14, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Aaron Hillis
August 23, 2003
Aaron Hillis, Premiere Magazine

No review available.

Jeffrey Westhoff
March 27, 2003
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

December 30, 2011
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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