It's hard to give a proper review of a film when it has been edited and dubbed. "Silent Night", also know as, Starlight Night, and according to many sources released in 1933 may have had some 45 minutes cut for it's U.S. debut. This review is based on the widely released DVD "holiday" edition with a 29 minute running time. There might be other versions that have circulated through the years running a little shorter and longer and with subtitles instead of a dub. Justice is not quite given to the legendary song, nor the songwriters in this short film. The plot involves a young couple, the woman's father's objection, an elopement, then a grandson & grandfather's happy reunion. According to the movie, this inspired Josef Mohr to write Silent Night. No mention is made of the organ breaking down in the church, but a guitar is shown as a musical accompaniment to the song. The story starts out in 1811 but moves very quickly to 1818. Mention is made of the war and Napoleon. As for the song itself, it plays at the last scene, with three stanzas heard, and is well sung. The real highlight of the movie is an avalanche, other wise, kind of disappointing. The version reviewed was in sepia-tone, good picture and sound quality. One of the actors, Paul Richter, was in 2 very famous silent films: Dr. Mabuse(1922) and Siegfried(1924).
