Movie spotlight
The Rats
Die Ratten was produced by actress and singer Grete Ly. Her company, Grete Ly-Film, made five films between 1919 and 1921. Die Ratten, which is based on the play of the same name by Gerhart Hauptmann, was the last one. Hauptmann, one of the most important promoters of literary naturalism, had received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1912. The screen adaptation of his play is beautifully photographed in a realistic style by Karl Freund, one of best German cameraman of that time who also worked with directors such as Lang, Murnau, Dreyer, Dupont and Ruttmann. Moreover, the cast of Die Ratten also acts in a very naturalistic way, far from the affected expressionistic style. Die Ratten was made on a modest budget, but the collaboration of an excellent team produced a film that was ahead of its time.
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Plot Summary
A drama set in the squalid tenements of New York City, "The Rats" focuses on a group of impoverished individuals struggling to survive. The film delves into their desperate circumstances, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty and the moral compromises people make when pushed to their limits. It explores themes of crime, survival, and the often-overlooked lives of the urban poor.
Critical Reception
As a silent film from 1921, specific critical reception details are scarce and difficult to verify through modern aggregated sources. Films of this era often received reviews in contemporary newspapers and trade publications, but comprehensive critical consensus is not widely available today. The film's genre suggests it likely catered to audiences interested in gritty social dramas.
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Fun Fact
This film is considered a lost film, meaning no known prints or recordings of it are believed to exist today, making it incredibly difficult to study or experience.
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