A Doll's House
A Doll's House

Movie spotlight

A Doll's House

1917
Movie
50 min
English

Nora Helmer has years earlier committed a forgery in order to save the life of her authoritarian husband Torvald. Now she is being blackmailed lives in fear of her husband's finding out and of the shame such a revelation would bring to his career.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Director: Maurice TourneurGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Nora Helmer, a devoted wife and mother, is burdened by a secret debt incurred to save her husband Torvald's life. As her husband's controlling nature becomes increasingly apparent and the debt collector threatens exposure, Nora must confront the societal expectations placed upon her and the true nature of her marriage.

Critical Reception

As an early silent film adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's seminal play, the 1917 version directed by Maurice Tourneur was a significant cinematic event. Pauline Frederick's performance as Nora was widely praised for its emotional depth and nuance, capturing the character's internal struggle in a way that resonated with audiences and critics alike. The film is noted for its respectful translation of the play's themes to the silent screen, making it a notable achievement in early cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Pauline Frederick delivers a powerful and moving performance as Nora.

  • The film effectively adapts the complex themes of Ibsen's play for the silent screen.

  • A significant early cinematic interpretation of a classic literary work.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this early silent film is not readily available. However, contemporary reviews and its status as a notable film suggest it was well-received by its audience.

Fun Fact

This 1917 film is one of the earliest cinematic adaptations of Henrik Ibsen's famous 1879 play, which was considered scandalous in its time for its depiction of a woman leaving her husband and children.

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