Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam (1920)

Top comments

1. 

   Siskoid

   The Golem (How He Came Into the World) is a 1920 piece of German Expressionism, about a Medieval rabbi who animates a clay figure to protect his people from an antisemitic king, but also to make him do the shopping (Frankenstein's Monster never did that, though this film looks like a clear influence on James Whale's 1932 classic). Let's just say that while it does have some interesting effects and good performances, it's not exactly the most exciting horror film to come out of the era. Even without the Golem, the rabbi seems to be a pretty powerful wizard who you might think wouldn't need a magical servant, and in the end, beware what you ask the monster to do as it could come back to haunt you. What's perhaps most intriguing is the set design, which affects vaginal openings and womb-like chambers, as if commenting on the creature's unnatural origins. How should we then interpret the ending where little children are the cause of the Golem's destruction? Little blond children outside the ghetto at that. I have a hard time getting a handle on what the film is saying about the Jews, or who it is siding with. There are probably some postgraduate theses about this somewhere. 4 years 3 months ago
2. 

   essaywhu

   Interesting, but like others have said, it is a little hard to get through. I also agree that it has great sets and special effects. 9 years 2 months ago
3. 

   Armoreska

   There's an edition with rock OST by Black Francis. It omits several less-important intertitles though, compared to Restored Authorized Edition 9 years 12 months ago

See all comments

Friends

Login to see which of your friends have seen this movie!