Der Golem begins with a Jewish astrologer predicting disaster in the stars; rushing to the rabbi, he tells of their people's impending misfortune. Sure enough, the emperor of the land has decreed that the Jews must leave the city, for despising Christian ceremonies, endangering the lives of their fellow men, and practising black magic. As if to prove the emperor right, the rabbi uses dark powers to bring a clay golem to life, the creature ultimately threatening their oppressors and going on a rampage (like a Jewish Frankenstein's monster). Meanwhile, a gap toothed knight with a huge feather in his cap is seducing the rabbi's pretty daughter Miriam, which won't end well for the silly chap.
Whatever you do, don't watch the version of this film with added dialogue and sound effects, rock music on the soundtrack, and colour tinted scenes: it's an abomination. Instead, head on over to YouTube and see the film as intended - black and white with an orchestral soundtrack. It's a long, drawn out movie (the version I saw was over 100 minutes), hard going at times due to its slow pace, but still a must for fans of classic horror, the impressive set design (I love the claustrophobic town and that shell-like spiral staircase), superb expressionist lighting and sheer invention making it a visual treat throughout.
Whatever you do, don't watch the version of this film with added dialogue and sound effects, rock music on the soundtrack, and colour tinted scenes: it's an abomination. Instead, head on over to YouTube and see the film as intended - black and white with an orchestral soundtrack. It's a long, drawn out movie (the version I saw was over 100 minutes), hard going at times due to its slow pace, but still a must for fans of classic horror, the impressive set design (I love the claustrophobic town and that shell-like spiral staircase), superb expressionist lighting and sheer invention making it a visual treat throughout.