The Golem Review- By Michael Carlisle

Title: The Golem
Year: 1920
Director: Paul Wegener 
Country: Germany
Language: German

If Cinema is the art of dreams, then surely German Expressionism is the art of nightmares. It all started at the end of World War One; Germany suffered a humiliating loss, as well as a declining economy, it would prove difficult for German filmmakers to compete with the lavishness of American Hollywood. Disillusioned by the "War to End All Wars" and needing films to be made artistically and cheaply, German Expressionism seemed a natural fit for a country with such loss. Cabinet of Dr.Caligari (1920) and Nosferatu (1922) are the most well known of thee films, but another film known as The Golem would also make its mark.

The Golem is set in 16th-century Prague, where a Jewish rabbi creates a giant creature from clay, called the Golem, and using sorcery, brings the creature to life in order to protect the Jews of Prague from persecution.

Almost a century after German expressionism was born, the films are still loved by film buffs and casual film goers alike. Many have undergone painstaking restorations from their original prints, so they can be preserved for future generations.Unfortunately there is always a film that goes under the radar, in this case it's The Golem. Originally named The Golem: How He Came into the World, it is the third in a series of films about a clay golem that comes to life and murders hapless victims. Unfortunately this is the only part of the series that still survives to this day. It is a prequel to the original Golem film, made in 1915, and it works well by itself.

Like any German Expressionist films, The Golem can be seen as a prophetic warning against the upcoming fascist takeover of Germany. The golem, originally designed to protect the Jewish community from destruction, ends up almost annihilating them himself. Out of desperation and in order to save themselves in the 30's, the Germany people elected Adolf Hitler to lead them. The man they elected eventually plunged them into Wold War Two, another war they would lose, and leave the population decimated.

In conclusion, though the film is a bit uneven and oddly paced at times, overall it is certainly well made. The Golem maintains a horrific atmosphere of fear, suspicion, terror and uncertainty. Director Paul Wegener immerses us into a world that we've never seen before. Golem is a prototype of the movie monster we would be accustomed to seeing in the Universal horror films of the 30's. Even if you are not entertained by the film, it isn't for everybody, you certainly should give it the respect it deserves. Praise it! 4/5