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I first watched this film at the late eighties, I was young at felt that touch... Now in 2020 being more mature and experienced and having split my life between a small town with some mountains around and the big city, I understand better the strangle between the nature and the big city for the individual. People choose one or the other for a numerous of reason, in majority without reflecting on it. Myself until now haven't choose, and living between them separate my time and experiences. The film is lousy, the acting is even worse, the dialogue sucks, trying not to add too more negatives although there are. But it has romance, it has humor_John Belushi's contribution on the film, it has strength_Blair Brown's contribution, it has commitment, the film has "feelings" which are trying to be subdued due to the fact they both live in separate worlds and has that touch which doesn't go old, romance. The type of romance which affect all ages, non-completed love and the effort to achieve it unsuccessfully or not. Gives you the promise you seek yourself! And that's make this film adorable.

When Evelyn Brent decides not to kill Emil Jannings although he possesses imperial status and he is the most powerful man in Czar Russia, she reexamines her action by failing to give meaning and with that to justify his death in the film. She (as a woman due to Josef von Sternberg directing angle) channels her contradictive judgement into falling in love with him. On the other hand, strong-willed Emil Jannings when he watches the crash of the train by the collapse of the bridge he refuses to accept the fact itself(in the start of the film he calls it great shock) and the contradiction which leaves to him the outer mark of a constantly moving head as a result of his denial. Emil attempts to project this to the film audience as a believable major psychological trauma in his mind. This time the viewing angle is Emil's. Both times what takes place is the failure of giving meaning and therefore justifying actions. Giving meaning in phenomena and actions determine a thinker and reflective thinking which usually demands time and not suitable for direct actions demands. This level of human judgement is upper than knowledge, skills, principles and attitudes. The process of making decision relies on a rational procedure although the final decision might be very much based on emotion. Human emotion. This film originates in the synthesis and expression of its major human assets. It sets a number of remarkable points to reflective thinking and defines Josef von Sternberg's art degrees of revealing and concealing.

I don't want to refer to the original playwright and the philosophical level that was referred to it because it doesn't suit with the love story which has a main aspect in this script. This film is an alternative version and follows its path. Fredric March dominates this film but he is too young to contribute the achievement of an overall general outcome to make this one an overall good movie. He expresses his great talent with words, with monologue and dialogue, with gestures, with his monocle figures, his movements and "savoir vivre" overall outcomes (where the hell "death" knew them?) and above all with his humor! He has calculated everything in his part and role... Except to make it believable! But this is Fredric's(death) point of view and I enjoyed the "hilarious" outcome. His voice tends to be unnatural {in his viewing angle to perform "death"} when he is not performing the kind "sheep" all human would love to adopt... Its not "death" that want to be adopted but it is Fredric! Death is just a step to another path ...etc, etc. And that is what makes this film hilarious. "Death" by Fredric's performance has humor and he is actually very well accepted by human ears!!! On the other head, I enjoyed very much Fredric voice because it is crystal clear and you can hear and understand every word he says (without the use of english subtitles)! The leading actress shows from the beginning that she is a spoiled child, perhaps a spoiled actress too. She isn't going to grow up, she doesn't know what she wants in her life, in fact she doesn't has a clue about it... When "death" "falls" in her path she on the other hand turns to be "stimulated" by his touch, although first she fears him... She falls for a love without boundaries for the "void" of death... better not to be explained further... That's why she sounds so wooden and untruth until she actually leads "death" to take her with him. The dominant character of Fredric"Death" falls apart for the love of hers!!! The dialogue between them is melodramatic and needs courage to stand it, but fortunately only a few lines are to swallow them... On the other hand the dialogue and the interaction between Fredric(death) and the other actresses and a few actors is exceptional fine and turn to be interesting and enjoyable, many times filled with humor by Fredric(death).

In general terms, film is enjoyable and turns to be a comedy with many melodramatic tendencies.