Silent Era Echoes Loudly

Read Time:3 Minute, 35 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Pandora’s Box (Die Büchse der Pandora)
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Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Year Released: 1929, 2023 Eureka Video Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 49m
Director(s): G. W. Pabst
Writer(s): Frank Wedekind (plays,) Ladislaus Vajda (scenario,) Joseph Fleisler (titles,) Georg Wilhelm Pabst
Cast: Louise Brook, Fritz Kortner, Francis Lederer, Carl Goetz, Krafft-Raschig, Alice Roberts
Where To Watch: available October 30, 2023; pre-order here www.eurekavideo.co.uk, or www.amazon.co.uk

RAVING REVIEW: Embark on a journey through time with PANDORA’S BOX. This silent exploration transcends mere motion pictures to become a historical echo, an experience that flings you into the enthusiasm of the late 1920s. Here, in a world with strands of passion, tragedy, and stark societal revelations.

This is my second viewing of this film, and my appreciation for it has grown in spades. This may partially be because the original viewing was on an extended play VHS, recorded off of a Turner Classic Movies special from who knows when. This version was an absolute “experience” in comparison. It is a stunning restoration that lets the visuals of the film shine.

With her nuanced expressions, words become secondary as Louise Brook crafts Lulu, a character radiating innocence, allure, resilience, and vulnerability. Her silence is a language itself, a poignant reminder that genuine emotions are often unspoken.

Picture this: the Jazz Age is in full swing, and Lulu is its personification — spirited yet unpredictable. Like moths to a flame, men swarm, trapped by her luminescence. However, each romantic venture spirals into disaster, mirroring the societal quakes of the Weimar Republic. PANDORA’S BOX unfurls a narrative of personal trials and reflects a generation dancing on the blade’s edge. Also, just for your moment of education, the title of this film translates far more literally than I had realized during my original viewing.

No production is without its snags; at times, the film’s pacing drags, elongating scenes to the brink of disconnect, slightly marring Lulu’s journey. Its courageous portrayal of raw, unfiltered sexuality, while groundbreaking, occasionally loses balance, teetering towards melodramatic flair instead of genuine human connection.

PANDORA’S BOX feels akin to discovering a cinematic relic, a reminder that history is peppered with films you must experience for yourself. The film’s indelible cultural impact is a testament to Georg Wilhelm Pabst’s visionary foresight and Brooks’ unforgettable portrayal. This film doesn’t just cross time barriers; it annihilates them, securing legacies within the immortal celluloid frames.

PANDORA’S BOX is a bold saga spun with threads of passion, deception, and the quest for identity, its silent echoes reverberating through time. Central to this is Lulu — immortal, enthralling, an icon solidified in the annals of film. Pandora’s Box is a resounding homage to the art of silent filmmaking and the inimitable Louise Brooks. Here’s to the whispers of the silent era; may they forever

SPECIAL FEATURES
– Limited Edition Box Set – 3000 Copies
– Limited Edition Hardcase featuring artwork by Tony Stella
– Limited Edition 60-page Book featuring new writing on the film by critics Alexandra Heller Nicholas, Imogen Sara Smith, and Richard Combs, alongside archival stills and imagery
– 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a definitive 2K digital restoration
– Optional English subtitles
– Orchestral Score by Peer Raben
– New audio commentary by critic Pamela Hutchinson
– New visual appreciation by author and critic Kat Ellinger
– New video essay by David Cairns
– New video essay by Fiona Watson

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[photo courtesy of EUREKA VIDEO]

MY SAG-AFTRA STRIKE STATEMENT:
As an advocate for creators, actors, and writers, I firmly stand with SAG-AFTRA in their current strike. The entertainment industry is built on these individuals’ extraordinary talents, and their contributions must be appropriately recognized and rewarded. They deserve fair compensation, sensible work hours, and respect for their creative rights. I believe in the power of unity and collective action, and I’m steadfast in my support for their fight for better working conditions and fair remuneration. Together, we can shape a more equitable future in the entertainment world.

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