This gothic classic is an excellent example of German expressionist filmmaking.

Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam or The Golem, How He Came into the World (1920) is set in 16th century Prague. Jewish Rabbi Loew creates the Golem using magic to protect his people from prosecution. His assistant gets control of the Golem and uses it to perform various crimes. Things go worse from there resulting in the Golem going on a rampage.

This was the third attempt by actor, director, producer Paul Wegener to make a movie based on an old Jewish legend that he had heard while making another classic German expressionistic film The Student of Prague. The first Golem film was made in 1915 and is now considered lost. The second was a comedy / sequel called The Golem and the Dancing Girl (1917) and it too is a lost film.

Wegener plays the Golem, a being made from clay and sand, and he also co-directed the movie. The sets are surreal and cinematographer Karl Freund (Metropolis) uses the shadows to excellent effect.

While it’s not the best of the German expressionist period, it’s a unique film to see and it’s influence on future horror movies is quite evident.