Pandoras Box

Based on two Frank Wedekind plays, Erdgeist and Die Buchse der Pandora, Pandora's Box is widely considered the finest film of its director, G.W.Pabst- an extremely s... more >

Based on two Frank Wedekind plays, Erdgeist and Die Buchse der Pandora, Pandora's Box is widely considered the finest film of its director, G.W.Pabst- an extremely significant figure of Silent and early Thirties cinema, whose reputation, along with that of films such as The Threepenny Opera (voted among the all-time top ten by a major international poll in 1952) has, however, suffered something of a decline.
On its German debut, the film's portrait of a shameless call-girl surrounded by exploitative characters, its open critique of Bourgeois sexual hypocrisy, its inclusion of the source's lesbianism (watch for an eloquently erotic dance scene that reminds of Bertolucci's The Conformist) and adherence to Wedekind's Lulu as a "personification of primitive sexuality who inspires evil unawares" met with anger and derision.
Pandora's Box is distinguished by expert compositions and expressionist lighting, along with the director's typically fluid editing; subtly cutting on movement to promote a sense of inescapable momentum towards its ultimate tragic destiny. Certainly, on seeing Pandora's Box again, I was surprised by the speed with which Lulu's trial for murder of her rich new husband is reached. Though it's charged with a sense of restlessness, and occasionally (in the melee of the backstage theatre scene, for instance) of hectic motion, in general the camera's movements are quietly restrained, to enhance the feeling of claustrophobic space- even the late outdoor London scenes are hemmed in by fog- while taking time to dwell on Lulu herself.
And then, of course, there's Louise Brooks. The word "legendary" is all too often inappropriately applied. Not here. On last night's T.V I chanced upon a bevy of Hollywood actresses, on display for the Oscars, intent on emulating this icon of over 70 years' standing. Vain delusion! Brooks' performance in Pandora's Box will continue to captivate when today's stars are long forgotten.
Spotted by Pabst in a minor role in Hawks' A Girl in Every Port, she was given the part ahead of homegrown talent, most notably a scathing (pre-"Blue Angel") Marlene Dietrich- to the dismay of the German public and a doubting cast. Her Lulu is elusively complex and endlessly fascinating; tempestuous, tender, frivolous, flighty, spontaneous, spirited, sweet, …Her fateful attraction for creeping creatures (Schigolch, for instance) and smitten benefactors (Alwa and the countess) alike is seemingly inadvertent; far from a vampish femme fatale, she is the film's victim- more butterfly than spider. Her ravishing beauty, framed by trademark bob, is exquisitely lit. Incidentally, Asta Nielsen had previously sported a bob in the part, prompting Pabst to try out Brooks in curls in one sequence. A closing image, of Lulu juxtaposed with Jack the Ripper (here more a lost soul than a vicious psychopath) is hauntingly enigmatic and surprising.
The director and actress teamed again effectively the next year in the fine Diary of a Lost Girl, but it is her outrageous vivacity as Lulu which will ensure Brooks' screen immortality.

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View all 51 of John Davies’s reviews

Beyond the iconic black bob and porcelain skin, Louise Brooks radiated sexuality with an unparalleled subtlety of expression and gesture. In this film she gives her mo... more >

Beyond the iconic black bob and porcelain skin, Louise Brooks radiated sexuality with an unparalleled subtlety of expression and gesture. In this film she gives her most captivating and erotically charged performance and displays a smouldering screen presence that has never been equalled. < less

View all 106 of ’s reviews

All time silent classic based on two plays by Frank Wedekind. Legendary performance by the almost luminous Brooks as Lulu, the most fatale of all femmes. Astonishing a... more >

All time silent classic based on two plays by Frank Wedekind. Legendary performance by the almost luminous Brooks as Lulu, the most fatale of all femmes. Astonishing and wonderful. < less

View all 106 of ’s reviews

"A masterpiece - miraculous" Sight and Sound. With a heightened naturalistic style and dark, dark, noirish leanings, the remorseless and fascinating journey of the ant... more >

"A masterpiece - miraculous" Sight and Sound. With a heightened naturalistic style and dark, dark, noirish leanings, the remorseless and fascinating journey of the anti-heroine to her date with destiny, in the form of a man who may be Jack the Ripper, exudes an hypnotic fascination. < less

View all 106 of ’s reviews

DVD Extras

• Region 0. Original ratio (4:3). Restored and uncut. Includes 'Looking For Lulu' documentary which features rare footage and photos, interviews with friends & colleagues and a 1976 interview with Brookes herself. Optional English or German dialogue cards. Main feature includes musical acompaniment.

Film Details

Cast

Louise Brooks

Technical Details