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The Golem [VHS]
 
 
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The Golem [VHS] (1921)

Rated: Unrated | Format: VHS Tape
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews) |
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Product Details

  • Format: Black & White, NTSC
  • Rated: Unrated
  • Number of tapes: 1
  • Studio: Timeless Multimedia
  • VHS Release Date: September 15, 1995
  • Run Time: 91 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 6303695841
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,581 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A relic certainly, but a fascinating one, Der Golem is perhaps the screen's first great monster movie. Though it was actually the third time director-star Paul Wegener had played the eponymous creation, the earlier efforts (sadly lost) were rough drafts for this elaborate dramatization of the Jewish legend. When the Emperor decrees that the Jews of mediaeval Prague should be evicted from the ghetto, a mystical rabbi creates a clay giant and summons the demon Astaroth who breathes out in smoky letters the magic word that will animate the golem. Intended as a protector and avenger, the golem is twisted by the machinations of a lovelorn assistant and, like many a monster to come, runs riot, terrorizing guilty and innocent alike until a little girl innocently ends his rampage. Wegener's golem is an impressively solid figure, the Frankenstein monster with a slightly comical clay wig. The wonderfully grotesque Prague sets and the alchemical atmosphere remain potent. --Kim Newman

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Cavalier and Clay November 2, 2002
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
My love affair with silent films began with "The Golem". I was introduced to this movie on a wintry January night, with the lights off. The flickering images, the "Brandenburg Concerto" soundtrack, and the film's angular sets, left a lasting impression on me, and it wasn't long before I started dreaming in black and white with a classical score. I watched it again this year, at midnight on Halloween, and was captivated all over again.<...

The story of the Golem is timeless (it even made a recent appearance in "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay"). The creature is brought to life from clay to protect the inhabitants of a medieval Jewish community from destruction at the hands of the Emperor. But the prophecies from which he's born also foresee his turning against his creators, and those are of course fulfilled when the Rabbi's daughter carries on an affair with the Emperor's knight. The Golem's death is a stunning moment, coming from a most unexpected pair of hands.

The look of the film (if you can discern it on VHS) is remarkable. The village's homes and towers are stark angular shapes, jutting up against a starry night sky. The appearance of the demon Astaroth, who reveals the Golem's secrets, is remarkably realized, as are the words that form from his breath.

The legend changes with each telling, but the core details should be familiar to most, and are echoed in many other sources down through history (the "Frankenstein" parallels are easy to see). If you can secure a good print of this movie (or even if you can't), the images will stay with you for a long time.

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47 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
THE GOLEM is one of those movies that many people have seen stills from or have read about but up until now have not the opportunity to see it as it was intended to be seen. Copies of it have been around for years but as was often the case with silent films until recently, it was available only in poor quality prints projected at the wrong speed with inappropriate or no music background at all. This new Kino DVD remedies that situation and is likely to be the best edition we're likely to see for some time.

The story concerns a Jewish ghetto in 16th century Prague which is saved by the creation of a clay man who is brought to life and becomes their protector. After his task is finished, he refuses to return to clay and runs amok until he is finally vanquished by the hands of a child. This is a remake of an earlier film which also featured writer and co-director Paul Wegener as the creature. Much of the Golem legend would be used by Mary Shelley in FRANKENSTEIN and this movie would be recycled by James Whale and Boris Karloff for the famous 1931 film. It is fascinating to watch this film today not only for its highly stylised sets and striking cinematography but also for its positive portrayal of Jewish life which was possible in 1920 Germany but not 13 years later.

This is by far and away the best version of this film that I have seen. It is still a little washed out in places but the restored tinting helps to minimize that. Most of the print is sharp and clear with the stylised details quite vivid especially in the ghetto scenes. The newly composed soundtrack by Aljoscha Zimmermann incorporates Jewish melodies with folk dance material and is very effective. This is one of four new releases in Kino's German Horror Classics series that also features authorized versions of CABINET OF DR CALIGARI (a knockout), NOSFERATU, and the rarely seen WAXWORKS. They can be obtained seperately or all together in a box set. If you are one of the ever growing number of silent movie fans then this movie, indeed this set, is a must.
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
The Golem April 24, 2004
Format:DVD
Wow.
Even on budget dvd (spotty print quality, meaningless background music) watching Paul Wegener's 1920 THE GOLEM is quite an experience.
It's 16th century Prague and the stars imply, and the Emperor impels, an eviction of the ghetto Jews. Their crimes - practicing the black arts, despising Holy Christian ceremonies, etc. In desperation Rabbi Loew, nominal leader of the ghetto, invokes the dread spirit Astaroth to reveal the magic word that will bring the Golem to life.
The Golem is a large clay figure in the form of a man. This faithful servant of Rabbi Loew's possesses superhuman strength and seems invulnerable - daggers bend and break rather than penetrate its skin. It accompanies Rabbi Loew to the Emperor's palace on a mission to have the edict revoked, and the Golem is instrumental in accomplishing that goal.
Of course, the movie reminds us of the dictum that should be engraved on the hearts of all mad scientists everywhere - "If you have brought the dead to life through magic, beware that life." The last third of the movie shows what happens when Man's creation stop obeying the will of their creators.
For me, the big hurdle to clear when watching silent movies is to realize they're NOT over acting. Without sound, emotions have to be expressed with some exaggeration. If you're afraid, eyes pop and mouth gapes and curled fingers cover your face. With sound that type of acting looks ridiculous. This is the second silent movie I've watched recently, and it's getting easier. The acting here is fine.
It's amazing how familiar everything looks. The sets, with walls cantered at weird angles and their organic architecture (there's a spiral stone staircase that seems to have been carved from standing rock), would fit comfortably in a Tim Burton movie. I've seen the painted starscape and arched gables in Charles Laughton's NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. The Golem busts down the ghetto gate just like King Kong, and confronts the little blonde girl in the same manner as Karloff did in THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN.
I imagine all this was a lot scarier then than it is now, but it's still well worth everyone's time. If the score and print quality had been higher, I would have given this one five stars.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Golem
Preceding James Whales' FRANKENSTEIN by over a decade, this tragic Promethean tale of a man-made monster that wreaks havoc on a small Jewish ghetto resonates just as strongly with... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Carl Manes
Jewish fable
I liked the story line--It was exciting and held my interest. I also like the music. It was a love story, forbiden love, people trying to get hope from what ever source was... Read more
Published on November 8, 2009 by Peter E. Weiss
Review for Alpha Video version of THE GOLEM
Although this is certainly not a restored version, the print on this release from Alpha Video is quite good. Read more
Published on October 29, 2009 by Gregory Holmes
Don't miss this early silent horror masterpiece
This 1920 silent horror film is simply incredible. It is considered perhaps the first great monster movie ever made, and it definitely is the most unheralded. Read more
Published on October 10, 2009 by C. Christopher Blackshere
Early Horror Story
The Golem is an interesting story though the sets and costumes do not match the time. It is suppossed to be in 16th Century Prague but the costumes look 13th century and the entire... Read more
Published on July 13, 2009 by Alberto M. Barral
Great Classic German Horror!
This is a really exciting story and it is very interesting. I am not sure of the origins of the story but it is done very well. Read more
Published on October 22, 2008 by Lynn Ellingwood
Excellent DVD !
Excellent DVD. I remember the first time I have watched this film on TV many, many years ago. I was fascinated and now I'm so happy because I have the DVD. Read more
Published on September 12, 2008 by J. CALDERON
Before Frankenstein there was The Golem!
This unusual silent film has a number of special features which make it stand out from others, particularly in historic and artistic aspects. Read more
Published on August 29, 2008 by Barbara (Burkowsky) Underwood
Poorly Paced but Visually Captivating Early Horror Film.
"The Golem: How He Came into The World" (1920) is the only extant film in Paul Wegener's Golem trilogy, which was the first horror series in cinema. Read more
Published on May 5, 2008 by mirasreviews
Expressionist classic
An excellent silent film made in Germany in 1920 and making great use of the expressionist style of filmmaking from that era. Read more
Published on June 23, 2007 by Dr. Butcher MD
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