Product Details

• Actors: Emil Jannings, Evelyn Brent, William Powell, Jack Raymond, Nicholas Soussanin
• Directors: Josef von Sternberg
• Format: Black & White, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1998
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300215458
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,419 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be on DVD!, June 18, 2004

By 

Barbara (Burkowsky) Underwood (Tumut, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Last Command [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Although the quality of this VHS tape is absolutely excellent, it is such a good silent film that it deserves to be issued on DVD and be more readily available. It was nominated for "Best Picture" in 1928 and it's not hard to see why. Not only does it feature a dramatic performance by Emil Jannings, with superb direction by Josef von Sternberg, but the story is very interesting as well. The main theme is the Russian Revolution of 1917, but the focus is on the general, cousin of the Russian tsar and the most powerful man in Russia. Right from the start, however, we are shown a very human side of the general; 10 years later as a sad old man with a shocking past and for whom you can't help feeling sorry. Then the main part of the film, as a flashback, shows his experiences during the final days of tsarist Russia. There are some surprises and even a love story, some suspense when returning to the present day, 1928, and a very dramatic climax. Everything moves along and unfolds at a good pace, and there are not many intertitles to read or complications that are hard to follow, making this film a good choice for anyone new or a bit wary of silent films.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous film,, August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Last Command [VHS] (VHS Tape)

It is unfortunate that most people would never even think of watching a silent movie. They are missing out on some of the most wonderful films ever made. The Last Command is a spectacular film with such emotional impact. Emil Jannings had such talent. It amazes me how well he plays a Russian general suffering from such shock after the revolution. With only facial expressions and moving music to back him, he gets across more emotion than many actors today. Everyone should take the time to see this movie, it has become my favorite, perhaps it may become yours.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most underrated Masterpiece, February 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Last Command [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Here is a movie that not a lot of people know about. It is within one of the most neglected genres of filmmaking (silent), and a hard one to find. The film, which to my fortune was accompanied by a live orchestra when I first saw it, had such an emotional impact on me, that it hasn't been topped by any other movie that I have seen since. Every actor's expression in this film contains a universe of emotion; forever changing--and bringing the story to life. It should be ranked among the finest films ever made. My words cannot do it justice, so I give it my highest recommendation--see this movie!!!