Michael
Michael

Michael

1924Movie95 minGerman

A mature and visually elegant period romance that remains one of the earliest and most compassionate overtly gay-themed films in movie history. Based upon Herman Bang's 1902 novel, Dreyer's Michael refashions the classical Greek myth of Jupiter and Ganymede into a love triangle between an aging artist, Zoret, his protagonist Michael, and Princess Zamikoff, an aristocratic femme fatale as entranced by Michael’s youthful beauty as Zoret is.

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IMDb7.0/10
Director: Carl Theodor DreyerGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

The film centers on the character of Michael, a young artist who is the object of obsession for two older women. One is a wealthy countess who supports him and desires him, while the other is a former lover of the countess who also becomes infatuated with Michael. The narrative explores themes of love, possession, and the complex relationships that arise from these intense emotions.

Critical Reception

Though not widely seen today due to its lost status for many years, "Michael" was recognized by critics of its time for its artistic merit and Dreyer's directorial prowess. It is considered an important work in the development of Expressionist cinema, praised for its psychological depth and striking visual style, although its thematic elements were sometimes seen as challenging.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense psychological exploration of obsessive love.
  • Noted for Carl Theodor Dreyer's distinctive visual style and direction.
  • Considered a significant, albeit somber, work of German Expressionism.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this film is not readily available due to its age and limited distribution.

Fun Fact

For many years, "Michael" was considered a lost film, with only fragments believed to exist. A complete print was eventually rediscovered in the archives of the Russian State Film Archive, allowing for its restoration and re-evaluation.

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