FW Murnau was, and still is, a fascinating director, if perhaps not one of my all-time favourites. He was one of the best and most influential directors in his day, and to this day he is still a big influence in cinema with a unique style in visual style and tone. His films are extremely well made and remarkably atmospheric and imaginative and the themes that he explored were daring at the time and not explored in the way he did, regardless of how the film does for you on the whole.
'Tartuffe' is not one of his best, one of his masterpieces or his most important. It is still a very interesting and superbly made and directed film, that shows that even when Murnau was not on the best of forms his work was leagues better than the lesser work of many other directors (there were a fair share of other great directors whose lesser work were quite big misfires). A lot of effort went into 'Tartuffe' and it shows and the theme of hypocrisy (religious) has seldom been explored in quite this way, quite bold for back then when other directors would not have dared.
It does feel incomplete at times, hence why the odd part feels rushed and disjointed.
However, 'Tartuffe' is a masterpiece of visual style and composition. The photography is sombre yet full of atmosphere, complete with some inventive angles unlike any seen before in places. The lighting is some of the cleverest and most striking for any silent film or even any film of any kind at the time, and the sets are lavishly designed. It's hauntingly scored, while Murnau's direction is at its best impeccable.
On top of being quite unsettlingly formidable in places in terms of tone and with some nice moments of intimacy when necessary, 'Tartuffe' is also satirical. And it's very sharp, frankly scathing and even hilarious satire, without trying too hard that it becomes strained or limp like how satire is executed frequently.
Emil Jannings was one of the best actors of the silent film era, not one of the most subtle but always one of his most riveting. He is on top form here and clearly relishes his role. Lil Dagover and Werner Krauss support him very well without being intimidated.
To summarise, Murnau is not at his best but this is still impressive work. 8/10
'Tartuffe' is not one of his best, one of his masterpieces or his most important. It is still a very interesting and superbly made and directed film, that shows that even when Murnau was not on the best of forms his work was leagues better than the lesser work of many other directors (there were a fair share of other great directors whose lesser work were quite big misfires). A lot of effort went into 'Tartuffe' and it shows and the theme of hypocrisy (religious) has seldom been explored in quite this way, quite bold for back then when other directors would not have dared.
It does feel incomplete at times, hence why the odd part feels rushed and disjointed.
However, 'Tartuffe' is a masterpiece of visual style and composition. The photography is sombre yet full of atmosphere, complete with some inventive angles unlike any seen before in places. The lighting is some of the cleverest and most striking for any silent film or even any film of any kind at the time, and the sets are lavishly designed. It's hauntingly scored, while Murnau's direction is at its best impeccable.
On top of being quite unsettlingly formidable in places in terms of tone and with some nice moments of intimacy when necessary, 'Tartuffe' is also satirical. And it's very sharp, frankly scathing and even hilarious satire, without trying too hard that it becomes strained or limp like how satire is executed frequently.
Emil Jannings was one of the best actors of the silent film era, not one of the most subtle but always one of his most riveting. He is on top form here and clearly relishes his role. Lil Dagover and Werner Krauss support him very well without being intimidated.
To summarise, Murnau is not at his best but this is still impressive work. 8/10