Halloween month is nearly over here at Balladeer’s Blog!
THE MAGICIAN (1926) – This early MGM silent movie was adapted from Somerset Maugham’s 1908 novel based on the notorious Aleister Crowley.
Paul Wegener of The Golem fame portrays Oliver Haddo, the sinister title figure who discovers the secret of creating life through Black Magic. He and his dwarf assistant need to use blood from the hearts of female virgins as one of the ingredients, setting up the expected macabre goings-on.
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WHY ISN’T THE MAGICIAN BETTER KNOWN?!
This is a magnificent movie that modern audiences would probably embrace more than they do films like The Phantom of the Opera, Nosferatu and other classics beloved by me and my fellow silent film geeks.
There is virtually no overacting or outrageous melodrama in The Magician, just VERY nicely handled horror and suspense.
Paul Wegener as the sorcerer and alchemist Oliver Haddo
Haddo is an elegant, well-dressed, worldly sorceror who employs his powers in subtle ways that eventually become more blatant as he targets a young female sculptor to be his sacrificial virgin. The scene of a gigantic Pan (lower right) and his disciples celebrating an orgy is very daring for the time.
Other nice touches include the way the sculptress’ fascination with the dark side is established early on by her fixation with occult subjects in her artwork. Haddo’s spiritual seduction of her makes sense in that context.
The magnificent but monstrous creature that the Magician plans to bring to life is more impressive than the monsters in the Universal horror films of a decade later. Unfortunately, the special effects of the time would not allow for elements from the novel like Haddo’s horrific homunculi and the victims he transformed into twisted wooden trees in human form.
This could almost count as Gothic horror if not for the 1926 setting. The sculptress’ fiancee and uncle pursue her and Haddo from England to the French Riviera to Monte Carlo in the exciting finale at Haddo’s remote castle. The scenes set in 1920s Monte Carlo alone makes this worth watching.
FOR MORE SILENT HORROR FILMS CLICK HERE: https://glitternight.com/2012/10/19/the-best-silent-horror-film-shorts-1896-1909/
© Edward Wozniak and Balladeer’s Blog, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Edward Wozniak and Balladeer’s Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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Logged, thank you sir!
Great posts as always. I’ve never heard about the movie The Magician before but your review has compelled me to see it. I love movies that deal with the elements of magic. This love of magic comes from my appreciation of Harry Potter. I grew up reading the books in my childhood that shaped my identity. I’m a huge fan of JK Rowling’s books and love the film adaptations as well. Each film has offered a fresh take on the source material. The story behind The Magician reminds me a lot of the Harry Potter films. For instance, it reminded me a lot about The Philosopher’s Stone which is the first film in the series. The film tackles similar themes of magic.
Here’s a list of my favourite Harry Potter films ranked:
Thank you very much! I really appreciate it!
Thank you very much, Balladeer. The silent films were wonderful, but where is the actor now who is proficient in acting with his facial expressions, body parts and face?
Exactly! Actors in silent films were masters of their craft! Thanks for the kind words!
Yes, we used to enjoy them, but now they only show them on screen very rarely
That is true.
Very nice! 🙂
Thank you!
💛
Thanks!
The Magician sounds like an excellent film. If it’s on Amazon, I might watch it tomorrow. I really can’t stand modern horror movies (they make my stomach turn), so this is a great recommendation! Thanks for sharing 🎃
Glad to do it! You might be able to find it on Youtube or Bing, too.