Directed: Josef von Sternberg

Year: 1928

Nominated: Best Actor – Emil Jannings

Won: Best Actor – Emil Jannings

Plot in 25 Words: Small-time Russian actor relives his past as a big-time Russian general, brought low by revolutionaries, love, and loss in deepest, darkest, Russia.

In My Opinion: Wow. Just wow. An absolutely incredible film. I was gripped from start to finish, and ended the film in tears. Just wonderful. I didn’t expect to have such a strong reaction to any silent film and incredibly surprised by how much it affected me. Emil Jannings as Grand Duke Sergius Alexander was thoroughly believable.

The role of the Grand Duke is almost two different characters. The first, the general in the Russian army. Decorated by the Czar, a giant among men, leading his troops into battle with no fear. The second, a mere shell of the man he had once been. Clearly traumatised and suffering from PTSD in a pre-PTSD world.

Emil Jannings plays both roles superbly. His broken down, beaten General is still full of a quiet dignity that it just heartbreaking, and his more masculine role is full of Russian bravado and strength.

A Russian Grand Duke, a cousin to the Czar, commands his men with strength and discipline. They fight against revolutionaries, men and women keen to remove the army and current leader from power. Instead of destroying them, the Grand Duke falls in love with one, and brings her along on his private train car. Sure. That’ll go well.

The train stops and an angry mob forms. As predicted (by me, apparently not by the Russians) the Grand Duke’s lover turns on him and hands him over to the baying mob who force him to shovel coal for the train.

Betrayed by the woman he loves, and viciously tortured and beaten, Grand Duke Alexander makes a break for freedom.

His lover appears and tries to help him. Hedging her bets or genuine love? Impossible to tell, but either way the Grand Duke makes his getaway…just in time to watch the train containing the revolutionaries and the woman he loves, slide off an icy bridge and into the water below.

Flashing back to the present, the obviously traumatised Grand Duke is acting on a movie set, playing the part of a Russian general. A part that should have come naturally is now a great struggle.

Upon the realisation the director is one of his old revolutionary foes, he draws on an inner reserve – possibly even struggling to determine real life and a memory – and delivers an inspiring and moving speech to his troops. Urging them to fight for Mother Russia. At the culmination, he keels over. Dead. And even his enemy admits ‘he was a great man.’

Star Performer: Emil Jannings as Grand Duke Sergius Alexander. Just absolutely nailed it. Superb.

Overall: Amazing film. The end reduced me to tears, and I haven’t stopped recommending it to friends. I’d definitely watch it again. So moving. A stunning performance.