Customer Reviews

Pandora's Box [PAL Import]

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Growing up in Rochester, New York, I was lucky enough to spend many occasions at The Dryden Theater, of The George Eastman House, which has one of the largest film libraries and preservations in the world. It was there that I became acquainted with this film. It was not, however, my first introduction to Louise Brooks, though I had no idea at the time that the little old lady I used to deliver prescriptions to was an icon of the dawn of an art form. She lived a modest life in her tiny apartment on the second floor of an old Victorian house (which, at that time, was just an old house), in a run-down, dangerous, city neighborhood. And, when I was told that she had once been a famous actress, I, being the dreamer that I was, found that very glamorous and romantic. Though I would have loved to talk to her about her part in the movie world, a world I readily escaped to in order to avoid the bleakness around me, my then extreme shyness, youth, and the intimidation I now felt in her mere presence prevented me from doing so. She worked a counter at our Sibleys Department store downtown, until age and illness overcame her, and lived in almost total anonymity, forgotten. When I finally saw "Pandoras Box", in the dark on that big screen, it was with an overwhelming feeling of respect and awe at the luminous magic of this actress. Director Pabst was a mentor to Brooks as Von Stroheim was to Dietrich, and in this film he creates Brooks most famous role. Enough has been said about the plot, and the daring for that time characters. So I will only say I recommend viewing this beautiful film not only to enjoy it, but out of respect to something that deserves to be preserved. It is pleasing to see that there are apparently many who still appreciate these early works, when the art form was new, exciting, and creative, three qualities which the current movie industry is almost entirely devoid of. If you want to learn more about the legendary screen presence that was Louise Brooks, read her auto-biography "Lulu In Hollywood", or Kenneth Tynans essay on her, which was what regenerated an interest in this shamelessly forgotten star. Or, best yet, watch her films, of which "Pandoras Box" is the most classic and timeless.

If you think silent films are silly or out-of-date, then you must see Pandora's box. This film will hold your interest and will leave an impression on you whatever your movie tastes are. Seduction, deception, decadence and the human condition are all on display. Louise Brooks is absolutely mesmerizing. I can think of few films, either silent or talkie, which bring a character so vividly to life. I recommend it highly (5-stars). You won't be disappointed.

Of all the silent dramas of the '20s, perhaps none is as compelling and inherently watchable as "Pandora's Box" of 1928. Amazingly, despite its age and completely different cinematic conventions, this G.W. Pabst picture continues to influence filmmakers worldwide. Made in Weimar Germany, it stars Louise Brooks, an American actress now considered the quintessential symbol of the flapper era. If not for her presence, the film would probably never have its incredible durability and cult status. She is the inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's Mia Wallace in both personality and sheer appearance. For the source of that chic haircut, look no further than Lulu, the proto-"femme fatale" played by Brooks. In a plot that could have come right out of a modern daytime talk show, she manages to destroy the lives of virtually everyone who loves her. Lulu (an aspiring actress), is simultaneously involved with Dr. Schoen (a prominent, high-society man) and his son, while being pursued by a lesbian admirer. To make matters worse, she is "supervised" by a rather disgusting, shady, pimp-like creature impersonating her father. And that's only the beginning. The girl's circumstances become even more bizarre as the action progresses. Obviously, given such a juicy storyline, the audience could well have been treated with a dose of laughable high camp. But Pabst, through brilliant cinematography (and, incidentally, silence), manages to retain dignity and generate powerful emotions as opposed to sarcasm and mild amusement. Precisely because the characters do not speak, we have an opportunity to witness their expressions and gestures. The camera spends much time on Brooks' face, showing the wide range of her emotions: from playfulness to rebellion to despair and back again. That face is one of the most versatile (not to mention the most beautiful) in the history of cinema. At the conclusion of the film's best scene-- as Dr. Schoen's fiancee catches him red handed in Lulu's dressing room-- her competitor slowly dismounts him with a momentary smirk full of hurt and disdain, yet somehow ballsy and triumphant. Such precious and sophisticated details make "Pandora's Box" a masterpiece. The title itself is mentioned in an inevitable courtroom scene midway through the story, by a prosecutor who crudely accuses the girl of being the root of all evil. This is where the film's sociological implications make it stand out from many of its contempories. Louise does not portray a conniving temptress. On the contrary, the people around her fall prey to their inhibitions, delusions and obsessions. Essentially, she is only an indirect cause of their demise and never fully responsible. Lulu's representation as a victim of nothing but her own zest for love and life in a stagnant, repressive society, is an example of humanist cinema at its finest. Brooks' personal life was no less turbulent than her character's: after a potentially prosperous career and scores of lovers (from Chaplin to Bogart to Pabst himself), she quit the business, refusing to cooperate with its humiliating limitations and rigid standards. Fortunately for us, her name has been immortalized in an impeccable movie.

Louise Brooks was the penultimate flapper girl of the 1920s. Surprisingly, her greatest cinematic triumph came not in her American films but rather in the two German films she made with director G.W. Pabst. These two films, "Pandora's Box" and "Diary of a Lost Girl" are absolute classics of the silent era. It is a pity that for a long time, they were forgotten and ignored. However, both are now available VHS and are highly recommended viewing for anyone interested in films from the silent era.

I've always liked silent films because the absence of sound made it necessary for the directors to develop a more creative visual approach in order to tell a story. This often made for visually striking cinematography, especially in German Expressionism. We can see the influence of this style of film making in the early American horror films or even the 1940s film noir genre or even the early films of Alfred Hitchcock (one of my favorite directors).

Pandora's Box is a prime example of German Expressionism. Every shot is so well-crafted that any single frame might be considered a work of art. And with the film centered around Lulu, as played by Louise Brooks in her greatest film role, those frames look quite lovely indeed. The story is one of decadence and sensuality; it follows Lulu, who appears to project both innocence and promiscuity at the same time, as she falls from grace, going from a lifestyle of riches to the backstreets of London. The film was considered quite immoral and erotic at its initial release (it wouldn't even be PG-13 in this day and age) and contained one of the first depiction of lesbianism on celluloid.

Nonetheless, it has survived its initial scandalous reputation to become considered one of the masterpieces of the silent era. Definitely try to see this film, and "Diary of a Lost Girl" as well, if possible. Both are excellent. Now if only Criterion would do justice to either of these films on DVD like it did with "Passion of Joan of Arc...."

I first viewed this back in 1994 because I was interested in the history of gay characters in film. ("Pandora's Box" presents one of the earliest film depictions of a lesbian, the Countess Geschwitz, played by Alice Roberts.) I did not expect to particularly like this movie, mainly because of its age and the fact that it is silent. I knew almost nothing at the time about the lead actress, Louise Brooks. Well, I was blown away by this movie and by the talents of Louise Brooks. The movie was not at all boring as I had expected, but riveting. Brooks' sexuality seems very contemporary, and her performance is really a masterpiece of acting.

Since viewing this, I have seen several silent films, mainly American, and I believe that "Pandora's Box" is superior to any of the American efforts, including classics like "Sunrise" and Garbo films like "Flesh and the Devil." German Expressionists like "Pandora's Box" Director G.W. Pabst put emotions on the screen in a more direct, yet lyrical kind of way.

I initially rented this movie, but then went out and bought a copy, I liked it so much. This film is captivating and very sexy. If you are a sexual creature at all, you will fall in love with Louise Brooks. I also highly recommend her other film directed by Pabst, "Diary of a Lost Girl."

What a beautiful film. I am totally in love with Louise Brooks - she is a doll. This film is her "Sergeant Pepper" as it showcases her at the peak of her creative career in every way.

Why there is no DVD release of this mega-classic film is a sin! If any silent film deserves the "Criterion treatment", this is the one! Until its release, we must depend on VHS versions of the film such as this one. The film is presented un-tinted, in true black and white, with a piano score that is quite suitable to the "feel" of the time period.

For me, this movie works best as a short-hand overview of the roaring twenties and their demise. In the first act of the picture, gorgeous young Lulu (played brilliantly by Brooks, who looks and acts so incredibly "modern" throughout), is having a real ball being the girl about town. But after her husband's death, she tragically predicts the market crash of 1929 almost prohetically, by her poverty in England and her untimely demise at the end of the film.

My favorite scene is where she is caught frolicking backstage with another woman's fiance. Brooks, with hair disheveled, has that "I've been [messing]-around with your man, but so what" deliciously guilty expression on her beautiful face. Brooks plays it like a woman who's been there/done that, and looks absolutely sexy in the act.

Louise Brooks earns my vote as the sexiest actress of all-time; and this, her landmark role proves it!

G. W. Pabst was one of the greatest directors of silent films. He had a way of working with his actors, one on one, that brought out a superior performance. Had it not been for Pabst, Louise Brooks would have been just another "flapper" actress who never made it in talkies. Pandora's Box was based on the play by Frank Wedekind that had made quite an impact, and brought the character of Lulu national attention. Finding the perfect Lulu for the film version was about as complicated as locating Scarlet O'Hare. In Louise Brooks, Pabst found the innocence and beauty that the part of Lulu demands. Pandora's Box reflects the reality that was Berlin between the world wars; sex was openly for sale. Lulu is at the same time innocent and a monster. She is disconnected from her actions, as when she kills Schoen, her reaction is detached as if she was unaware a gun could kill. The men who seek her lust after Lulu but also want to destroy her.

It is interesting that all the actors involved in making Pandora's Box hated each other, and Louise Brooks, the American who was playing "our Lulu" caught the brunt of the hatred. The tension between them contributed to the feel of the movie. Certainly, this is not a movie for everyone but it is a fascinating look at a decadent time that finds a parallel in Pabst's Diary of a Lost Girl and The Joyless Street.

There seems to be an opinion that silent films are boring. Alrfred Hitchcock thought of silent films as the only example of pure cinema. Many silent movies (the movies were never silent, there always was music) have been remake as talkies but have never been able to capture the special magic that the older version. This is true of this film. Were Pandora's Box remade today we would have the violence but none of the insight.

This movie is arguably the greatest silent film of all. Pabst at his most sublime. Do not listen to any negative reviews you may have or about to read ( paging Matthew!). Louise Brooks delivers one of the most natural screen performances ever. Have you ever heard the quote" There is no Garbo, there is no Dietrich, there is only Louise Brooks " It's true, you know. As for Brooks being "sometimes striking", all I can say is Huh? Louise was simply one of the most beautiful women ever to grace the screen! A great film.

Let's keep this short... Get this film! Picture quality: very very good! Musical score: fits extremely well and adds much to the film as it should. Brooks and Kortner are superb! Brooks is a natural. Highly recommended!

There is an excellent DVD version, restored and uncut, available from Amazon.UK (ASIN:B0000667MT). It is Region 0, so that it can be played in the US. It also includes an excellent bonus feature, "Looking for Lulu," on the actress Louise Brooks (Lulu), narrated by Shirley MacLaine and including an interview with Brooks recorded in 1976.

Mark Haxthausen