Rent The Last Laugh (1924)
3.7 of 5 from 33 ratings
1h 30min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
A landmark work in the history of the cinema, Der letzte Mann represents a breakthrough on a number of fronts. Firstly, it introduced a method of purely visual storytelling in which all intertitles and dialogue were jettisoned, setting the stage for a seamless interaction between film-world and viewer. Secondly, it put to use a panoply of technical innovations that continue to point distinct ways forward for cinematic expression nearly a century later. The lesson in all this? That a film can be anything it wants to be... but only Der letzte Mann (and a few unforgettable others) were lucky enough to issue forth into the world under the brilliant command of master director F. W. Murnau. His film depicts the tale of an elderly hotel doorman (Emil Jannings) whose superiors have come to deem his station as transitory as the revolving doors through which he has ushered guests in and out, day upon day, decade after decade. Reduced to polishing tiles beneath a sink in the gents' lavatory and towelling the hands of Berlin's most vulgar barons, the doorman soon uncovers the ironical underside of old-world hospitality. And then - one day - his fate suddenly changes... - Actors:
- Emil Jannings, Maly Delschaft, Max Hiller, Emilie Kurz, Hans Unterkircher, Olaf Storm, Hermann Vallentin, Georg John, Emmy Wyda, O.E. Hasse, Harald Madsen, Neumann-Schüler, Carl Schenstrøm
- Directors:
- F.W. Murnau
- Producers:
- Erich Pommer
- Writers:
- Carl Mayer
- Aka:
- Der Letzte Mann
- Studio:
- Eureka
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama
- Collections:
- A Brief History of Old Age on Screen: Part 1, Alfred Hitchcock's British Films, Films by Genre, Films to Watch If You Like..., A Brief History of Film..., The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to Howard Hawks, The Instant Expert's Guide to: Billy Wilder, The Last Laugh: The Film That Changed Cinema, Top 10 Guest Houses On Film, Top Films, What to Watch Next If You Liked Dracula
- Countries:
- Germany
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Reviews (1) of The Last Laugh
Grim Happily-Ever-After - The Last Laugh review by griggs
Jannings nails the slow crumble of dignity, and the cinematography is extraordinary even by today’s standards, but that tacked-on ending? Feels like a classic case of old-school studio meddling. Back when every film had to have a happily-ever-after, no matter how grim the story got.
1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.