Danton
Danton

Movie spotlight

Danton

1921
Movie
87 min
German

At the height of Reign of Terror Maximilien Robespierre orchestrates the trial and execution of several of his fellow leading French revolutionaries including Georges Danton.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Director: Dmitri BuchowetzkiGenres: Biography, Drama, History, War

Plot Summary

This historical drama chronicles the turbulent final days of French revolutionary Georges Danton. As the Reign of Terror intensifies under Maximilien Robespierre's iron fist, Danton finds himself increasingly at odds with the extreme measures taken by the Committee of Public Safety. He becomes a target of Robespierre's paranoia and must confront his own ideals and the consequences of the revolution he helped ignite.

Critical Reception

While specific modern critical reception is scarce for this silent film, 'Danton' (1921) was a significant production in its time, noted for its historical scope and the powerful performance of Emil Jannings. It is considered an important example of German Expressionist cinema adapting historical events, though its focus on character and drama distinguishes it from more abstract Expressionist works.

What Reviewers Say

  • Emil Jannings delivers a commanding performance as the titular revolutionary.

  • The film offers a dramatic and visually striking portrayal of a pivotal historical period.

  • It stands as a notable example of historical epics produced during the silent film era.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this 1921 silent film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The film was a significant early work for Emil Jannings, who would go on to become one of the most celebrated actors of the silent era and the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor.

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