Movie spotlight
The Four Devils
One out of three silent adaptations of the novella "Les quatre diables" written by Danish author Herman Bang. The most famous one, although unfortunately lost, is without any doubt F.W. Murnau's "4 Devils". This German version, by Danish director A.W. Sandberg, was done eight years prior to Murnau's American one, and was a big success at the time.
Insights
Plot Summary
This silent film tells the story of four orphans who are adopted by a wealthy recluse. They are raised in isolation, learning the ways of the world through books and their benefactor's stories. Upon reaching adulthood, they are sent out into the world to experience life, only to be drawn into a complex web of deception and intrigue orchestrated by their guardian's manipulative lawyer.
Critical Reception
As 'The Four Devils' is a lost film, its critical reception is impossible to ascertain definitively. However, F.W. Murnau was already a highly respected director by 1920, known for his visually striking and emotionally resonant films. It can be inferred that any completed work by him from this period would have likely garnered attention from critics for its artistic merit, though specific reviews for this particular film do not survive.
What Reviewers Say
Information not available due to the film being lost.
Google audience: Information not available due to the film being lost.
Awards & Accolades
None notable (Lost film)
Fun Fact
Sadly, 'The Four Devils' is considered a lost film, meaning no known copies exist today. This is a significant loss for film history as it was directed by F.W. Murnau during a pivotal period of his career.
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