Prague, Bohemia, 1820. Balduin, a penniless student, falls in love with Countess Margit, a wealthy noblewoman whom he has saved from drowning.
Directed by Stellan Rye
prague, czech republic
mysterious man
silent film
doppelgänger
noblewoman
19th century
german expressionism
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.4 / 5
Cast
Paul Wegener
Balduin - A Student / Self
Lyda Salmonova
Lyduschka - A Wanderer Girl
John Gottowt
Scapinelli - An Old Adventurer
Crew
Paul Wegener
Screenplay
Edgar Allan Poe
Short Story
Popular Reviews
23 reviews
crimzzn
Great score but the film just isn't that interesting for me. I didn't connect with it once and it just overall felt pretty slow. The first 2 acts were pretty good but the rest of the film was weaker.
Great score but the film just isn't that interesting for me. I didn't connect with it once and it just overall felt pretty slow. The first 2 acts were pretty good but the rest of the film was weaker.
1
ken
2.0★ · 04/27/26
One Year One Film (4/116) Not for me. I’m aware of the cultural significance of this film, but it was just way too slow. Each scene felt really elongated with unnecessary stuff, I feel like the film could easily be cut down to under an hour. I was so out of touch with the characters and the plot, the story was quite confusing. This film feels like it doesn’t know what to identify as: a tragic love story, a ghost story, tale of psychological alienation, or about a man’s greed? I’m not sure myself. There’s just so much ambiguity regarding the plot, themes, and the purpose of the characters. If someone would like to enlighten me about this film, I’d be more than happy to hear.
One Year One Film (4/116) Not for me. I’m aware of the cultural significance of this film, but it was just way too slow. Each scene felt really elongated with unnecessary stuff, I feel like the film could easily be cut down to under an hour. I was so out of touch with the characters and the plot, the story was quite confusing. This film feels like it doesn’t know what to identify as: a tragic love story, a ghost story, tale of psychological alienation, or about a man’s greed? I’m not sure myself. There’s just so much ambiguity regarding the plot, themes, and the purpose of the characters. If someone would like to enlighten me about this film, I’d be more than happy to hear.
wxlson
7.0★ · 01/31/26
IB has led me to places I wouldn’t go with a gun
IB has led me to places I wouldn’t go with a gun
hungerstone
6.0★ · 10/06/25
prague you hauntingly beautiful actress
prague you hauntingly beautiful actress
ELSA KARJALAINEN
6.0★ · 09/15/25
Balduin traded his reflection for money and status, only to realise he also traded away his identity. Chasing wealth only leaves you with a version of yourself you cannot escape.
A slow and creaky staple of cinema.
HOOPTOBER XII – 2/31
Balduin traded his reflection for money and status, only to realise he also traded away his identity. Chasing wealth only leaves you with a version of yourself you cannot escape.
