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Overview
Das Wandernde Bild is a German romantic film drama first released in 1920,
directed by Fritz Lang.
The film stars Mia May, Hans Marr, Harry Frank, Rudolf Klein-Rogge and Loni Nest.
It has also been released under the title: The Moving Image.
Our overall rating for this film is: good.
Synopsis
After the death of his brother Georg, John Vanderheit expects to
inherit his fortune. Unfortunately, just before he died Georg
made a will in which he bequeathed his entire estate to his wife,
Irmgard. Unwilling to yield to John, Irmgard takes flight and
undertakes a hazardous journey into the mountains. Here, she
meets a kindly hermit who offers her shelter. John is not
far behind, however, and when Imrgard repulses him he causes an
avalanche in an attempt to kill her. Trapped in the hermit’s
shelter, Irmgard’s new friend removes his hood – and reveals that he is
her husband Georg...
Film Review
Das Wandernde Bild marked the
beginning of the fruitful collaboration of director Fritz Lang with
writer Thea von Harbou. They married in 1922 and the couple would
become the creative force behind some of the greatest German films of
the pre-WWII era, works such as Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler (1922),
Metropolis
(1927) and M
(1931). Until quite recently, Das Wandernde Bild was thought to have been lost, the fate suffered by the majority of films made in the silent era. Fortunately, an incomplete print surfaced in Brazil and the film was partially restored in the late 1980s. Around a third of the film is missing, along with the script and inter-titles. Despite this, the restored film is surprisingly coherent and the lacuna are hardly noticed. Das Wandernde Bild may not be Lang at his best (its main weaknesses being its slightly ludicrous plot and some embarrassing Perils of Pauline moments), but it amply demonstrates the director’s mastery of technique and flair for expression through the silent image. The film is most memorable for its beautifully realised location sequences, which appear to show the influence of Lang’s contemporaries, notably D.W. Griffith. © James Travers 2009 Write a review for this film...User Comments
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Related links
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Credits
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