Algol (film)
Encyclopedia
Algol: Tragedy of Power is a 1920
German
science fiction film
about an alien from the planet Algol.
and John Gottowt
. The story centers on a human who is given a machine by an alien spirit which if used would allow him to rule to world. The sets for the movie were constructed by Walter Reimann, one of the set designers of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
(released February 1920).
The film was produced by the Deutsche Lichtbild-Gesellschaft (German light play company) in Berlin
and was distributed by Universum Film AG
(UFA). Its first release was on September 3, 1920 in Berlin
, and was subsequently released worldwide including a launch in Finland
on November 7, 1921.
. However, an intact version has now been recovered.
providing energy; however, instead of simply relieving workers of the difficult job of mining, the device creates massive economic upheaval throughout the world.
Over the next 20 years, Herne continues to increase his power and influence, but he has lost touch with Maria who now lives in the one part of the world to which his influence does not extend. The film follows the machinations of Herne’s son Reginald and his – ultimately unsuccessful – attempt at a coup, aiming to seize the secrets of the machine for himself. Meanwhile, Maria has had a son who travels to meet Herne to ask for his assistance: his country's coal reserves have expired. Herne initially refuses assistance; Maria visits him to ask in person. He comes to realise the extent to which he has been corrupted by power. In a moment of realisation, Herne destroys the machine, thereby preventing his son from taking control after his death.
1920 in film
The year 1920 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 27 - The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks opens.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1920:U.S.A. unless stated*The $1,000,000 Reward...
German
Cinema of Germany
Cinema in Germany can be traced back to the late 19th century. German cinema has made major technical and artistic contributions to film.Unlike any other national cinemas, which developed in the context of relatively continuous and stable political systems, Germany witnesses major changes to its...
science fiction film
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
about an alien from the planet Algol.
Production background
The film was directed by Hans Werckmeister and stars Emil JanningsEmil Jannings
Emil Jannings was a German actor. He was not only the first actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, but also the first person to be presented an Oscar...
and John Gottowt
John Gottowt
John Gottowt was a German actor, stage director and film director for theatres and silent movies.He was born as Isidor Gesang in Lemberg, Austria-Hungary. After his education in Vienna, he joined the Deutsches Theater in Berlin in 1905, working for Max Reinhardt as an actor and director...
. The story centers on a human who is given a machine by an alien spirit which if used would allow him to rule to world. The sets for the movie were constructed by Walter Reimann, one of the set designers of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a 1920 silent horror film directed by Robert Wiene from a screenplay by Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer. It is one of the most influential of German Expressionist films and is often considered one of the greatest horror movies of the silent era. This movie is cited as...
(released February 1920).
The film was produced by the Deutsche Lichtbild-Gesellschaft (German light play company) in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and was distributed by Universum Film AG
Universum Film AG
Universum Film AG, better known as UFA or Ufa, is a film company that was the principal film studio in Germany, home of the German film industry during the Weimar Republic and through World War II, and a major force in world cinema from 1917 to 1945...
(UFA). Its first release was on September 3, 1920 in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, and was subsequently released worldwide including a launch in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
on November 7, 1921.
Preservation status
For many years it was believed that this was a lost filmLost film
A lost film is a feature film or short film that is no longer known to exist in studio archives, private collections or public archives such as the Library of Congress, where at least one copy of all American films are deposited and catalogued for copyright reasons...
. However, an intact version has now been recovered.
Plot
The story follows the life of Robert Herne, who works in a coal mine, and his friendship with Maria Obal. While working in the mine, he encounters an inhabitant of the planet Algol who gives him a prototype machine which can provide a virtually unlimited source of power. Over the next year Herne sets up a factoryFactory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
providing energy; however, instead of simply relieving workers of the difficult job of mining, the device creates massive economic upheaval throughout the world.
Over the next 20 years, Herne continues to increase his power and influence, but he has lost touch with Maria who now lives in the one part of the world to which his influence does not extend. The film follows the machinations of Herne’s son Reginald and his – ultimately unsuccessful – attempt at a coup, aiming to seize the secrets of the machine for himself. Meanwhile, Maria has had a son who travels to meet Herne to ask for his assistance: his country's coal reserves have expired. Herne initially refuses assistance; Maria visits him to ask in person. He comes to realise the extent to which he has been corrupted by power. In a moment of realisation, Herne destroys the machine, thereby preventing his son from taking control after his death.
Cast
- Emil JanningsEmil JanningsEmil Jannings was a German actor. He was not only the first actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, but also the first person to be presented an Oscar...
as Robert Herne: The main protagonist of the movie. The film follows his life from that of a normal man to that of corrupt dictator over a period of 20 years. - John GottowtJohn GottowtJohn Gottowt was a German actor, stage director and film director for theatres and silent movies.He was born as Isidor Gesang in Lemberg, Austria-Hungary. After his education in Vienna, he joined the Deutsches Theater in Berlin in 1905, working for Max Reinhardt as an actor and director...
as Algol: An Alien presumably from the planet orbiting the Algol star. He gives Robert Herne an advanced alien machine allowing him to produce unlimited energy reserves. The motivations of Algol for providing such a technological device to a less advanced culture are not made clear or examined further during the movie. - Hans Adalbert Schlettow as Peter Hell: The son of Herne's friend Maria. He lives in the one part of the world over which Herne still has no influence. As that countries coal supplies are exhausted however he travels to meet Herne only to be told that no assistance can be provided for his people. He eventually returns to his mother and his homeland without access to the machine but with Magda (Herne's daughter).
- Hanna RalphHanna RalphHanna Ralph was a German stage and film actress whose career began on the stage and in silent film in the 1910s and continued through the early 1950s.-Career:...
as Maria Obal: Maria and Herne met in the coal mines before his encounter with Algol and became friends. During his rise to power however they lost touch and she moved to live in the one part of the world over which he has no control. Following her sons unsuccessful attempts to negotiate an energy source for their people she recalls her once close friendship with Robert and decides to visit him in person. It is partly her influence which makes him realise what he has become; a realisation which ultimately leads to him destroying the machine. - Erna MorenaErna MorenaErna Morena was a German film actress of the silent era. She appeared in 104 films between 1913 and 1951.-Selected filmography:* Algol * The Indian Tomb * Journey Into the Night...
as Yella Ward. - Ernst Hofmann as Reginald Herne: Robert Herne’s son and chosen successor. Despite his fathers promises to one day show him the secrets of the machine he becomes hungry for power and seeks to overthrow his father by means of a coup. Robert however destroys the machine before his son can learn its secrets.
- Gertrude WelckerGertrude WelckerGertrude Welcker was a German silent film actress who appeared in films between 1917 and 1925.Welcker was born in Dresden, Germany. Not much is known about her life after 1925. She died in Danderyd-Stockholm, Sweden....
as Leonore Nissen. - Käthe HaackKäthe HaackKäthe Haack was a German actress. She appeared in over 200 films between 1915 and 1980.She was born Käte Lisbeth Minna Sophie Isolde Haack in Berlin, Germany and was previously married to actor Heinrich Schroth, with whom she had a daughter, actress Hannelore Schroth in 1922.-Selected...
as Magda Herne: Robert Herne’s daughter. Following her fathers refusal to provide energy to Maria’s country she realises the extent to which he has become corrupted and chooses to leave with Peter. - Sebastian DrosteSebastian DrosteSebastian Droste was a poet, actor and dancer connected with the gay and underworld subcultures of Berlin in the 1920's. In 1922, Droste married expressionist exotic dancer and actress in German silent movies, Anita Berber. She and Droste performed fantasias with titles such as "Suicide,"...
as a dancer