Warning Shadows

Artur Robison's Warning Shadows is a restored classic of Weimar cinema, praised for its gripping narrative of infidelity and jealousy. It is also a film about film, engaging with Weimar culture's discourses on gender norms, hysteria, hypnosis, and spectatorship. The film is now widely available on DVD.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 102 pages
\n Publication date: 15 September 2021
\n Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd
\n

A View of a Long-Neglected Classic of Weimar Cinema: Warning Shadows

Artur Robison's Warning Shadows, originally released in 1923, is a remarkable film that has recently been restored and is now widely available. This cinematic masterpiece, known in German as Schatten, shadows, has garnered critical acclaim since its premiere. The story revolves around a fateful dinner party where a flirtatious wife, her jealous husband, and their guests are entertained by a traveling illusionist known for his shadow play and hypnosis. One critic has hailed it as superior to renowned films such as Wegener's Golem, Lubitsch's Passion, Murnau's Nosferatu, and Wiene's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. However, despite its exceptional quality, Warning Shadows remained relatively unknown for many years, until the recent release of a restored version on DVD.

One of the distinguishing features of Warning Shadows is its lack of intertitles, making it one of the few silent movies to eschew this convention. This decision was made in an attempt to create a pure film experience, drawing on the unique qualities of cinema that set it apart from literature and theater. Robison's film sought to establish itself as a distinct and autonomous art form, free from the constraints of traditional storytelling. By staging a story of desire, adultery, and violence, Warning Shadows engaged with the core discourses of Weimar culture. The film addressed changing gender norms, hysteria, hypnosis, and the construction of spectatorship, reflecting the societal concerns and anxieties of the time.

In essence, Warning Shadows is a captivating narrative of infidelity and jealousy, but it is also a film that inherently explores the medium of cinema itself. Robison's skillful direction, innovative use of lighting and shadow, and attention to visual detail create a visually stunning and atmospheric experience. The film's silent nature adds to its power, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the story and the characters' emotions. Warning Shadows is a testament to the enduring legacy of Weimar cinema and a must-see for film enthusiasts and historians alike. Its restoration and availability on DVD provide a new opportunity to appreciate this forgotten masterpiece and its profound impact on the history of film.

\n Weight: 164g\n
Dimension: 132 x 190 x 10 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781640140912\n \n