The Golem
Country
CzechoslovakiaCopyright
1936Production year
1935—1936Premiere
14 February 1936Runtime
101 minDirector
Julien DuvivierCategory
filmGenre
dramaTypology
featuretheatrical distributionlongOriginal title
GolemCzech title
GolemEnglish title
The GolemParallel title
Le GolemWorking title
Dobrý kumpán GolemSynopsis
The Jewish savant Rabbi Löw once created a giant man of clay, golem, and gave it life. After Rabbi Löw's death the golem became for the oppressed Jews a symbol of protection against pogroms. At the court of Emperor Rudolf II, chamberlain Lang tries through intrigues to control the Emperor and obtain power. To do this he needs the golem, and therefore his people make their way into the Jewish Ghetto to look for it. They do not hesitate to use force and they also imprison a number of Jews including Rabbi Jakub. The Emperor's lover, Countess Stradová, wants to obstruct Lang's plans. Thus she attempts to reach the imprisoned Rabbi Jakub, who is the only one who knows where the golem is to be found. Before she succeeds, Lang finds the golem and revivifies it. But it is he who is the one punished by the golem for his violence to a defenceless people. After the prisoners are freed Rabbi Jakub makes a secret sign and the golem disappears.
Note
The French filmography of Julien Duvivier took as his theme the novel by Gustav Meyrink only. The film was shot only in a French version. A film, whose capital share was ensured by the Czech producer. The première took place in Paris in cinema Le Paris on Champs Elysées. Under the opening credits, watercolours of Prague by Jaroslav Šetelík are used.
Photos
Cast
Harry Baur
císař Rudolf II.
Roger Karl
komoří Filip Lang z Langenfelsu
Ferdinand Hart
Golem
Charles Dorat
rabín Jakub
Germaine Aussey
hraběnka Kateřina Stradová
Jany Holt
Rachel, rabínova žena
Tania Doll
madame Benoitová, společnice hraběnky Stradové
Roger Duchense
pařížský starožitník Trignac
Gaston Jacquet
maršál císařských vojsk Bedřich
Raymond Aimos
Pařížan Toussaint, Trignacův sluha
Stanislav Neumann
Daniel, odcházející obyvatel ghetta
Karel Schleichert
alchymista
Walter Schorsch
dvorní šašek
Jan Černý
hvězdář Johannes Keppler
Alfred Baštýř
kardinál
F. X. Mlejnek
katův pacholek
František Jerhot
katův pacholek
Milena Velíšková
služebná u hraběnky Stradové
Hana Bělská
dvorní dáma
Růžena Kurelová
dvorní dáma
Stanglová
Nevyklufová
Marcel Falio
obyvatel ghetta
Julien Carette
Robert Ozanne
Crew and creators
Director
Assistant Director
Based on
Gustav Meyrink (Golem /Der Golem/ – román), Jiří Voskovec (Golem – divadelní hra), Jan Werich (Golem – divadelní hra), anonym (Golem – staropražská židovská legenda)
Screenplay
Director of Photography
Production Designer
Assistent Production Designer
Set Designer
Costumes
František Říha, K. Meisner
Make-Up Artist
Film Editor
Sound Designer
Production Manager
Cooperation
Willy Ströminger (fotograf)
Czech subtitles
Amalaine Diabová (2003), Anna Kareninová (dramaturgie 2003)
Subtitles Made by
Filmprint (2003), Filmové laboratoře Barrandov Studio (2003)
Music
Music Composed by
Music Performed by
Orchestr F.O.K. (Music Conducted by Josef Kumok)
Production info
Original Title
Golem
Czech Title
Golem
English Title
The Golem
Parallel Title
Le Golem
Working Title
Dobrý kumpán Golem
Category
film
Typology
featuretheatrical distribution
Genre
drama
Origin country
Czechoslovakia
Copyright
1936
Production Year
1935—1936
Production specifications
start of filming 28 October 1935
end of filming 18 January 1936
date of censorship 02/1936
withdrawal from distribution 11 November 1938
Premiere
premiere abroad 6 February 1936 (kino Le Paris, Paříž, Francie)
premiere 14 February 1936 /inaccessible for youths/ (kina Adria /2 týdny/ a Lucerna /2 týdny/, Praha)
Production
With support
Copyright Holders
Studio
Laboratories
Distribution
Technical info
Duration typology
feature film
Duration in minutes
101 min
Original length in metres
2 860 meters
Distribution carrier
35mm
Aspect ratio
1:1,37
Colour
black & white
Sound
sound
Sound system/format
Tobis – Klang
Versions
Czech, French
Dialogue languages
French
Subtitles languages
Czech
Opening/End credits languages
Czech
