The Golem

In 16th-century Prague, a rabbi brings a clay statue to life using ancient magic to protect the Jewish community from persecution. The creature, known as the Golem, initially serves its purpose but soon grows uncontrollable. As fear and chaos spread, the rabbi must confront the destructive force he unleashed.

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  Still impressive, the grandeur of Der Golem made a considerable impact on release and, along with spectaculars like Ernst Lubitsch’s Madame DuBarry, it may well have been an inspiration for Universal’s mega-production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which followed in 1922. … [Hans] Poelzig’s Expressionist settings, beautifully photographed by Karl Freund, manage to be at once twisted and dreamlike yet practical and livable in, in sharp contrast to the jagged abstractions of Caligari. As a result the film creates an entirely convincing impression of time and place without recourse to ‘cast of thousands’ Hollywood pomposity. … The wonder of [Paul] Wegener’s performance is the granite sort of wit that he brings to this monolithic figure; he’s so completely confident in his effects that he can apply absurd humour to the role within seconds of first appearing. … Wegener also excels in conveying the creature’s gradual softening into tenderness and finally grief when he comprehends his non-human origin; [providing] a model for Universal’s future Frankenstein pictures … And when the Golem fulfils the destiny laid down for him…we’re given a slam-bang finale that future scenes of monster mayhem would emulate a thousand times over. … Wegener’s Golem is a sight to behold.