THE WAY OF LOST SOULS

Paul Czinner

T.it.: La via delle anime perdute; Scen.: Paul Czinner, Charles E. Whittaker; F.: Adolf Schlasy; Scgf.: Clarence Elder; Ass. R.: Herbert Selpin; Int.: Pola Negri (Louise), Warwick Ward (Maxim), Hans Rehmann (John), Cameron Carr (magistrato), Margaret Rawlings; Prod.: Charles E. Whittaker, Warner Bros 35mm. L.: 1835 m. D.: 73’ a 22 f/s.

info_outline
T. it.: Italian title. T. int.: International title. T. alt.: Alternative title. Sog.: Story. Scen.: Screenplay. F.: Cinematography. M.: Editing. Scgf.: Set Design. Mus.: Music. Int.: Cast. Prod.: Production Company. L.: Length. D.: Running Time. f/s: Frames per second. Bn.: Black e White. Col.: Color. Da: Print source

Film Notes

A protean film (six English titles, three French titles), that gathers under its flag, in different ways, England, Hungary, Poland, Germany and even France – given that its preservation has been assured by the Cinémathèque de Toulouse and the Archives Françaises du film of the CNC. Could The Way of Lost Souls be the first ante litteram European film?

The Way of Lost Souls, shot at the height of the silent period, uses the resources of fictional writing. The realist photography of the exteriors (with no concessions to appearing “well made”) alternates with the oblique shots of the drunken and sexual orgies. The rich variety of Pola Negri’s looks, expressions and poses are pitched against the brutal, almost petrified, character of Hans Rehmann. Are we in the presence of the quintessence of the silent art?

Jean-Paul Gorce

In short

Italian Title
La via delle anime perdute
Director: Paul Czinner
Year: 1929
Country: Gb
Running time: 
73'
Film Version

French intertitles

Sound
Sound
Edition
2005
Section
Special Events 2005

Copy From
Restored by

Print restored by CNC- Archives Françaises du Film from a nitrate held by Cinémathèque de Toulouse