An aging doorman (Emil Jannings), after being fired from his prestigious job at a luxurious Hotel is forced to face the scorn of his friends, neighbors and society.
Emil Jannings is the star of this film, but the clear star is the camera. This film, told with the "unchained camera", astonished audiences in its day and remains impressive now. There is a lack of intertitles, with the story told through expressions and angles, with a camera that moves through a revolving door, an elevator, and more.
The making of documentary on the Kino disc is amazing, as it shows you how makeup and hair were key to this, with Jannings being only 40. More impressive? The cut-outs, model cars, and forced perspective. You will never believe all the work that went into the background and how much you think you see that really is not there.
Apparently the film has an anti-militarism message, stressing the importance of uniform (or the false belief of its importance). I would never have made that conclusion, but would the critics and historians lie?
Emil Jannings is the star of this film, but the clear star is the camera. This film, told with the "unchained camera", astonished audiences in its day and remains impressive now. There is a lack of intertitles, with the story told through expressions and angles, with a camera that moves through a revolving door, an elevator, and more.
The making of documentary on the Kino disc is amazing, as it shows you how makeup and hair were key to this, with Jannings being only 40. More impressive? The cut-outs, model cars, and forced perspective. You will never believe all the work that went into the background and how much you think you see that really is not there.
Apparently the film has an anti-militarism message, stressing the importance of uniform (or the false belief of its importance). I would never have made that conclusion, but would the critics and historians lie?