BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Konterr Brilliant and touching

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Cheryl A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

Coventry Practically ALL horror movies from the silent era are brilliant masterpieces, but obviously you have to be in a certain type of mood in order to truly appreciate them. You can't just pop a silent horror into the DVD-player after a busy and stressful day, as these are films that you literally have to absorb with all your senses. Whether it's a German expressionist classic ("Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens", "Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari"…) or one of the earliest Universal classics ("The Phantom of the Opera", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"…), silent horror movies are sophisticated and emotionally exhausting, but oh so worthwhile! "The Man Who Laughs" is a Universal production, albeit with the collaboration of German expressionist talent. The famous production company hired the visionary director Paul Leni ("Waxworks") and charismatic protagonist Conrad Veidt ("The Hands of Orlac") in order to peer with the previous success films, but unfortunately the invention of sound in films and the very first movies with audible dialogs were in 1928 the main reasons why "The Man who Laughs" sadly never received the fame and recognition it fully deserved. Almost 90 years later now, the film luckily does get considered as an immortal classic. "The Man who Laughs" is a brilliant movie, but not exactly from start to finish. I have to say, the first 15-20 minutes are downright mesmerizing and most definitely belong in my personal list of greatest movie-moments in history. I could probably write five full pages about the magical first quarter, so unbelievably fantastic it is! The opening sequences are simultaneously endearing, shocking, horrifying and tragic. James II, King of England in the year 1690, and his diabolical jester Barkilphedro capture nemesis Lord Clancharlie and condemn him to death in the iron maiden. Right before dying, Lord Clancharlie also finds out that his young son Gwynplaine got sold to the cruel Comprachico gypsies. They surgically carve a permanent grin in the faces of their victims to sell them as clowns or jesters. Later, when the Comprachicos are exiled from England, they abandon the poor and reluctantly smiling boy in the cold England. He rescues a baby girl from the arms of her dead mother and finds shelter under the wings of the wise philosopher Ursus. This description only covers the first fifteen minutes of the film, but – as stated clear already – they are stupendous! The visually striking first scene inside the flamboyant bedroom of King James, Gwynplaine's heartbreaking journey through the snow and underneath dangling corpses on the gallows and, most of all, the perplexing moment when the young boy saves the blind baby Dea that would later become his muse. The footage where the Gwynplaine's savior Ursus screams: "Stop laughing! Stop laughing, I said!" and the poor lad replies with "I'm not laughing" truly brought tears to my eyes. Most unfortunately, however, the remaining hour and a half aren't nearly as brilliant, captivating and emotional as the first fifteen. Gwynplaine and Dea grow up but remain with Urses and they make a living as traveling circus artists. Gwynplaine becomes famous across the nation as "the laughing man". He gets recognized as the lost son of Lord Clancharlie and becomes noticed by the eccentric Duchess Josiana. Far too much time is spent on the forced romance/game of seduction between Gwynplaine and Josiana, illustrated through a couple of scenes that were very erotic and ahead of their time, even though it's abundantly clear that his craving to be with his beloved Dea will overrule everything. The film too often gets a little bit tedious and repetitive, but plenty of things remain worth seeing, like the continuously stellar acting performances from the ensemble cast, too many to mention visual highlights captured by Paul Leni's gifted art-director's eye and a genuinely uncanny atmosphere every time that diabolical jester Barkilphedro in on screen. All footage with the sensual actress Olga Baclanova (later the anti-heroine in "Freaks") literally burst with eroticism, whereas actress Mary Philbin embodies the pure and wide-eyed innocence. Conrad Veidt

clramon The man who laughs is one of the saddest movies I've seen in my life, one of those deep movie that leaves you thinking about it for several days. The expressiveness of the eyes of Gwynplaine have shaken me to tears.Despite being made ​​in 1928, with technology and the ways of the time, so distant from the current ways, these differences do not interfere at all. The same has happened to me when I see "Citizen Kane" (1941) by Orson Welles. So "The man who laughs" is a great choice for those who are looking to enter the world of classic films.

Bob Pr. I saw this as the main feature of the annual Oct. 30th presentation of "Silents in the Cathedral", a joint presentation of Grace (Episc.) Cathedral, our Public Library, & probably staff of the Kansas Silent Film Festival (presented annually in Feb.). Some of the below is from information presented before the show."The Man Who Laughs" is based on Victor Hugo's 1869 novel of the same name. Universal studio, having just lost their star, Lon Chaney ("Hunchback of Notre Dame", etc.) to MGM, imported the German director Paul Leni and star Conrad Veidt to compensate with this extravagant historical costume/action/horror/romance film. While it currently earns 8/10 stars on IMDb's rating and is considered very influential to film making, it wasn't particularly financially successful. It opened on the cusp of the talkies. Universal considered dubbing voices and re-releasing it but Veidt spoke little English plus the wire prosthesis Veidt wore to keep his face in such a hideous grin interfered with speech. (Veidt's facial appearance served as the model for "The Joker" in Batman comics, see the cover of the DVD.) The story takes place during James II's turbulent reign in England.A nobleman--opposed to this king's policies and actions--flees the country but is captured during his secret return attempting to find his young son, Gwynplaine.The king orders this nobleman killed for insubordination and, in addition, on the malicious advice of an associate, that his son's face be surgically altered to perpetually present a laughing appearance in re: his father's insubordination and death.The boy Gwynplaine becomes separated from his caretakers in a snow storm and, while seeking shelter, he finds a baby being held in her dead mother's arms. He rescues her, putting her under his jacket for protection from the cold, and he finds a house that offers them warmth and safety.The baby girl (Dea) is blind; she and Gwynplaine are raised by a philosopher, teacher, who eventually forms a traveling show that tours towns and fairs, presenting a play featuring Gwynplaine & Dea (played as an adult by Mary Philbin, who has grown to be very beautiful). Dea loves Gwynplaine and vice-versa but he is reluctant to marry her because, since she is blind, she can't know how terribly distorted his face is to everyone else.Dea argues against these fears saying that God has granted her blindness so she can see Gwynplaine as he truly is.In time, King James II is replaced by Queen Ann.A pretty duchess, strong-willed and somewhat disobedient to her Queen, lives in the property formerly owned by Gwynplaine's father and to which Gwynpaine, therefore, is the rightful heir.There are malicious, evil characters also involved with the queen and who continually try to hurt Gwynplaine. As punishment for the duchess's disobedience, they advise the Queen to order the duchess and Gwynplaine to marry (and banish Dea and her caretakers from England). The Queen does so and Dea is heartbroken.Gwynplaine rebels against this edict.He's ordered to be arrested but he resists and escapes; a prolonged exciting chase ensues.During this, the family dog--which has always been close to Dea and Gwynplaine--comes to the rescue and manages to achieve what we hope will be a far happier ending than the one ordered by the Queen. (These scenes also may well have served as the model for the later, "What, Lassie? Timmy's in the well and needs help?") And the film's ending IS happier! It's a heart-tugging, exciting, fun show.Several times, both at the conclusion as well as the section leading up to it, our audience erupted into loud clapping and whistling.It's very worth seeing; the whole cast is superb, especially Veidt who carries the film and very effectively conveys the sorrow he feels while bearing his perpetual wide grin. IMO although it's not quite as good as the superb "Sunrise, A Song of Two Humans"(1927), still it is a great, very touching, influential film.

wes-connors In jolly old England, Julius Molnar Jr. (as young Gwynplaine) has a permanent grin surgically carved on his face "so he might laugh forever at his fool of a father" who refused to kiss the hand of his King. The disfigured lad rescues a blind baby, and they are adopted by fatherly Cesare Gravina (as Ursus). The children grow into Conrad Veidt (as Gwynplaine) and Mary Philbin (as Dea). The trio support themselves as a traveling freak show, featuring Mr. Veidt's "The Laughing Man" grin, which has become ever more grotesque with age. Still blind, but movie-star-beautiful as an adult, Ms. Philbin falls for her good-natured rescuer; she thinks God took her eyes so that she could see the good in "Gwynplaine". Veidt cares for Philbin, but is distracted by the possible love of a sighted woman, the seductive Olga Baclanova (as Duchess Josiana).Paul Leni's "The Man Who Laughs" makes up for a story that goes to the dogs (quite literally!) by being too beautifully produced to dismiss. Additionally, Veidt's performance is electrifying. Especially representative of his work in this film is Veidt's "seduction" scene, with Ms. Baclanova; and, she is surely the film's "Best Supporting Actress". Everyone, from Philbin to extras and bit players, is very good. Interestingly, Veidt was eligible for an Academy Award, but was not nominated. Then, neither was Lon Chaney, for "Laugh, Clown, Laugh". They had no sense of humor, obviously. ******** The Man Who Laughs (4/27/28) Paul Leni ~ Conrad Veidt, Mary Philbin, Olga Baclanova, Brandon Hurst