The Bottle Imp
Lopaka, a poor Hawaiian fisherman, falls in love with Kokua, a young girl of royal blood. Her father refuses to let him marry her, though, unless Lopaka can bring him two feather cloaks from a rare bird. While searching the mountains for the bird, Lopaka encounters a dying priest of Pele who sells him a wishing bottle in which Kono, the god of the volcanos, is confined.
Insights
Plot Summary
A sailor named David finds a magical bottle that contains a devil. The devil promises to grant wishes, but if David dies with the bottle still in his possession, his soul will be damned. He uses the bottle to gain wealth and love, but the curse brings him nothing but misery. In desperation, he tries to get rid of the bottle, but finds that no one will buy it from him, as its price is always one penny less than he paid for it, a price that will inevitably rise to infinity if he tries to sell it to someone who wants to buy it. He is haunted by the devil and the curse, eventually leading him to a tragic end.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from 1917, specific critical reception data is scarce. However, Victor Sjöström's early work is highly regarded within film history for its artistic merit and psychological depth. 'The Bottle Imp' is considered an important early example of supernatural horror and a testament to Sjöström's directorial skill in adapting literary works.
What Reviewers Say
- A visually striking and atmospheric early horror film.
- Effectively portrays the psychological torment of a cursed individual.
- Demonstrates Sjöström's mastery of cinematic storytelling even in the silent era.
Google audience: Audience reviews are not readily available for this early silent film. However, its historical significance and artistic execution are often highlighted by film historians.
Fun Fact
The film is an adaptation of the 1828 novella 'The Bottle Imp' by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson.
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