Cast and Crew: Karl Freund (Cinematography)

What It’s About: Rabbi Loew (Albert Steinruck) brings The Golem (Paul Wegener) to life to protect the Jews of Prague from persecution…but, in this version, The Golem is created with a little help from the demon Astaroth, and you know how those deals with devils usually go…

Why Watch it Today?: The real Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel died on today’s date in 1609.  He wasn’t associated with legends of the Golem until the 19th century.  Writer/Director/Star Wegener’s film is a very famous early Silent fantasy horror film with some amazing special effects, Expressionist sets and iconic moments that would go on to a cinematic legacy of decades of Frankenstein films.

Here’s a trailer:

Here’s the film: