The Horror Scholar - The Golem (1920)
I’ve taken it upon myself to learn as much about the horror genre as possible - Here I'll take what I learn and create short, approachable reads for you to join me on this terror-ific journey!
The Golem / Der Golem (1920)
This film is a beautiful tale of horror both human and monstrous. Considered the second full-length horror film ever made (only behind the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari from the one year prior), the golem (our titular character) is a large creature made of clay and given life by Rabbi Loew in 16th century Prague to protect the local jewish people from persecution.
The impressive Golem character is played by the film's director, Paul Wegener, and is a beautiful look into what humanizes us. While this creature is monstrous and viewed as this “unstoppable force” there is a childlike innocence to him (as seen in the still above) that seems to be echoed in countless classics that follow (King Kong, Frankenstein, etc.). The message of the film feels just as pertinent today as it did over one hundred years ago.
In my research I found this quote that says it better than I could,
“But it is Wegener the actor, in his role as the Golem, who marks the film indelibly. Wegener's Golem, with his monstrous appearance and his trancelike obedience to the command of a legendary megalomaniac, is one of the most significant ancestors of the cinematic Frankenstein of James Whale and Boris Karloff. Huge, avenging and violent, Wegener's Golem terrorizes the enemies of the Hebrews. Yet, however superhuman his attributes, Wegener's creature is undeniably Romantic. Having tasted eternal life, he nonetheless yearns for the fragile mortality of the people he observes. As a timeless invention of Rabbi Loew's supernatural abilities and Nietzchean conscience, the Golem's existence allows him neither pleasure nor pain. Ironically, the Golem envies the uncertainty and finite life of the humans who stand in terror of him. They fear his immortal powers, and he desires a short, passionate, unpredictable life like theirs. The grasping toward humanity by Wegener's beast is one of the most affecting transformations in all of cinema.” Kevin Hagopian, Penn State University
This is a silent film, with a harrowing and moving score to accompany the entire piece with German intertitles (as opposed to subtitles) woven throughout. The version I watched is fully available on YouTube with English translation. This is a beautiful work of art, and not one that I could compare to others or give a rating (1-10) like I normally would. Instead, it just needs to be experienced and appreciated for what it is. You can view the film here: (2) Der Golem 1920 HD - YouTube
References
Hagopian, K. (n.d.). Film Notes - The Golem. Albany EDU. https://www.albany.edu/writers-inst/webpages4/filmnotes/fns05n1.html