Aktion	Zweigstelle	Standorte	Status	Frist	Vorbestellungen
Vorbestellen	Zweigstelle: 07., Urban-Loritz-Pl. 2a	Standorte: TB.KT.15 Man W / College 5a - Szene	Status: Entliehen	Frist: 01.07.2024	Vorbestellungen: 0

One of the most visually striking of all the later silent films, "The Man Who Laughs" reunites German Expressionism director Paul Leni and cinematographer Gilbert Warrenton. Adapted from the Victor Hugo novel, "The Man Who Laughs" is Gwynplaine (an extraordinary Conrad Veidt), a carnival sideshow performer in 17th-century England, his face mutilated into a permanent, ghoulish grin by his executed father's royal court enemies. Gwynplaine struggles through life with the blind Dea (Phantom of the Opera`s Mary Philbin) as his companion - though she is unable to see it, his disfigurement still causes Gwynplaine to believe he is unworthy of her love. But when his proper royal lineage becomes known by Queen Anne, Gwynplaine must choose between regaining a life of privilege, or embracing a new life of freedom with Dea. While "The Man Who Laughs" contains powerful elements of tragedy, doomed romance, and even swashbuckling swordplay, its influence on horror cinema is most pronounced. Leni died suddenly at the age of 44 a year after this film (with Veidt also unexpectedly passing away too soon in 1943), and "The Man Who Laughs" endures as one of the most haunting and stylish American silent films, made just as that era was coming to a close.The Masters of Cinema is proud to present the film on home video for the first time ever in the UK. (Verlagstext)