The second film directed by the Danish film-maker Herr Benjamin Christensen is the story of a circus acrobat, Strong John, wrongly accused of having committed a murder. When he and his child go looking for shelter in a Villa for the night, Ann, a girl who lives there, tries to help him but finally her good intentions are discovered and Strong John is captured. Thinking that the girl has betrayed him, Strong John swears to take revenge on her, namely, to put it in the ordinary Strong John words: "I'll tie a rope around her neck" As happened with his first film, this German Count is again astonished to see how Herr Christensen has mastered film narrative using innovative and unusual techniques for that time ( "Haevnens Nat" ( Blind Justice ) is a 1916 film production )and camera movements full of cinematic invention ( Strong John spying on Damen Anne through the keyhole ) all in the service of a crime melodrama film. The film has a long running time-100 minutes- but Christensen maintains the suspense and the pace in an extraordinary way. The misfortune of Strong John ( Herr Christensen himself )is as masterfully directed as his earlier film. The film has a number of different locations, but the most important one is the Villa. Herr Christensen uses the scenery in a dynamic way, never falling into the error of making a static oeuvre like the filmed theater that was common in many early productions of that time. The villa is where the story begins and where finally this tragic tale of misunderstandings and misfortunes will be brought to an end.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must take a quick look at the Schlöss in order to check that there are not uninvited guests at home.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must take a quick look at the Schlöss in order to check that there are not uninvited guests at home.