Is It Worth the Watch?

Every Halloween season I try to watch one classic silent horror film I’ve never seen before, so it was only a matter of time before I got to The Golem: How He Came into the World (Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam) from 1920.

This brilliant example of early German Expressionism had a huge impact on almost all subsequent horror movies, particularly on the designs of Universal’s Frankenstein in 1931, both films featuring deep shadows and often highly stylized sets. They share major plot points as well, in this case a monster is made out of clay by a rabbi attempting to protect the Jewish ghetto, but when it is brought to life, it turns on its creator.

Director/Screenwriter/Star Paul Wegener had a passion for the famous legend, eventually filming the story three times. The spectacular and haunting cinematography is by the great Karl Freund, who went on to photograph most of the classic Universal horror films (though, strangely, not Frankenstein) and, eventually, TV’s I Love Lucy.

Is It Worth The Watch? While not as tight or chilling as other silent thrillers, The Golem is absolutely a must see for any horror fan.

1920

86 minutes

Starring – Paul Wegener, Albert Steinruck, Lida Salmonova, Ernst Deutsch, Lothar Müthel

Director – Paul Wegener, Carl Boese

Screenplay – Henrik Galeen, Paul Wegener