4 Star

Drama, Intrigue and Inter-titles.

Eureka bring us #140-144 in their Masters of Cinema’s collection taking us all the way back to the roaring 20’s (1920’s that is), they bring us 5 of the early surviving films of Murnau (Nosferatu). All painstakingly restored with the inter-titles translated from the original German. The films are Schloβ Vogelöd, Phantom, Die Finanzen des groβherzogs, Der Letzte Mann, Tartuffe.

This 3 disc collection comes with a new video essay by film maker and critic David Cairns, also a 31 minute video piece by Luciano Berriatúa on the early works of Murnau. A 100 page booklet and much more for the film buff and historian of the family.

Schloβ Vogelöd (The Haunted Castle) tells the story of high society and murder and vast fortunes.

The Phantom is where we see a man with a steady respected job loose it all for the love of a mysterious woman after a brief encounter.

Die Finanzen des groβherzogs (The Finances of the Grand Duke) The likeable and carefree Grand Duke of Abacco is in dire straits. There is no money left to service the State’s debt and the main creditor is looking forward to gaining the Dutchy.

Tartuffe.  A young man shows his millionaire grandfather a film based on Molière’s Tartuffe, in order to expose the old man’s hypocritical governess who covets his own inheritance.

Der Letzte Mann (The Last Laugh) An ageing doorman, after being fired from his prestigious job at a luxurious Hotel is forced to face the scorn of his friends, neighbours and society. 

 

Available to Order Online Now.