Fantasma

Maybe my expectations were too high for this film, but after catching it on tape from TCM's Silent Sunday feature, I felt let down. I expected the same genius from Murnau as Nosferatu and Sunrise. All of the cinematic elements are there, but it just felt incomplete.

The story revolves around a man obsessed with an unattainable woman, and his attempts to substitute for his unfulfilled desires.

My biggest issue with the film was with Alfred Abel as Lorenz in the lead. He was great in Metropolis in a totally different role, but here he looked too old for the part and out of place, not quite finding the firm ground to build the character. Other players were good especially Aud Egede Nissen as Lorenz's sister Melanie.

Worth a look for Murnau's style, but a let down overall.