Movie spotlight
Crime and Punishment
Former student Raskolnikov is pushed to murder when struggling to pay the rent on his apartment. When the murder is being investigated by the police, Raskolnikov struggles between trying to hide his guilt and the pressure to confess.
Insights
Plot Summary
This silent film adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic novel follows Rodion Raskolnikov, a poverty-stricken former student in St. Petersburg. Driven by his own theories about extraordinary individuals being above the law, he murders an elderly pawnbroker and her sister. Raskolnikov is then tormented by guilt, paranoia, and the suspicion of the authorities, particularly Porfiry Petrovich, the clever investigator.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from 1917, contemporary critical reception is not widely documented in the same way as modern films. However, it is recognized as an early attempt to bring Dostoevsky's complex psychological novel to the screen. Its historical significance lies in its place within the burgeoning film industry's efforts to adapt literary classics.
What Reviewers Say
An ambitious early adaptation of a seminal literary work.
Showcases the challenges of translating dense psychological narratives to the silent film medium.
Historically significant for its era, representing the film industry's engagement with classic literature.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this 1917 silent film is not available.
Fun Fact
This film is considered a lost film, meaning no known copies are believed to exist today.
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