The Enemy
Carl Behrend, son of a wealthy businessman, marries Pauli Arndt, daughter of a pacifist professor. When World War I breaks out, Carl is drafted. Pauli and her family and friends are left behind to experience the suffering which befell civilians during the war. Her luck worsens when her father is dismissed from his professorship for teaching that war is evil. Her father argues violently with Carl's father, and degradation and despair descend on Pauli and her family as they await Carl's return from the front.
Insights
Plot Summary
During World War I, a Serbian peasant woman falls in love with an Austrian soldier who is recovering from wounds and hiding in her home. Their secret romance is threatened by the ongoing conflict and the suspicions of her countrymen.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, 'The Enemy' was generally well-received for its emotional depth and strong performances, particularly from Lillian Gish. It was praised for its sensitive portrayal of the human cost of war and the complexities of love amidst conflict, though some contemporary critics noted its melodramatic elements.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for Lillian Gish's compelling performance and the film's emotional resonance.
- Noted for its depiction of romance and humanity amidst the brutality of war.
- Acknowledged for its dramatic intensity and sympathetic portrayal of complex relationships.
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Fun Fact
This film was one of the last major silent films produced by MGM before the studio fully transitioned to sound films.
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