Film Synopsis
The Man Who Laughs (1928) follows Gwynplaine, a noble child cruelly disfigured with a permanent grin who grows up as a traveling performer, masking deep sorrow beneath his frozen smile. As he discovers his true heritage and confronts the rigid cruelty of aristocratic society, love and identity collide with exploitation and power. This silent drama blends romantic tragedy and social critique into a visually striking tale of suffering, dignity, and injustice.
The Man Who Laughs Blu-ray & DVD editions
See which disc extras are included across selected editions.
| Disc Extras | Flicker Alley BD-A/US/OOP 2019 | Umbrella BD-ALL/AU 2026 | Eureka BD-B/UK/OOP 2020 | Kino DVD-0/US/OOP 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Face Deceives - Video Essay by David Cairns and Fiona Watson | ||||
| Paul Leni and “The Man Who Laughs” - Video Essay by John Soister | ||||
| The Story Behind “The Man Who Laughs” | ||||
| Interview with Kim Newman on Paul Leni | ||||
| Excerpt from Italian Version | ||||
| “At Home with Conrad Veidt” - Excerpt from Die Filmstadt Hollywood | ||||
| About the Restoration | ||||
| Stills Gallery [Flicker Alley / Eureka] | ||||
| Stills Gallery [Kino] - Photos, Promotional | ||||
| Excerpt from Victor Hugo’s Novel |
Edition and Packaging Notes
- Flicker Alley’s Blu-ray includes a booklet with writing by Kevin Brownlow (“Celebrating Universal’s Masterpiece”) and Sonia Coronado (“Notes On the New Score”).
- Umbrella’s Blu-ray is included in the “Universal Horror: Monsters & Curiosities” box set. It contains a 100-page booklet and ten art cards.
- Eureka’s Blu-ray includes a booklet with writing by Kevin Brownlow (“The Man Who Laughs”), Richard Combs (“Not the Haunted Screen: ‘The Man Who Laughs’”), Travis Crawford (“Paul Leni’s ‘The Man Who Laughs’”) and Sonia Coronado (“‘The Man Who Laughs’ Experience”).
- Kino’s DVD is also available in the “American Silent Horror Collection” box set with (),
~ Found an error or know of another edition? Submit a correction or release update. ~