THE STUDENT OF PRAGUE (1926, original title Der Student von Prag) is the second of three filmed adaptations of a Hans Heinz Ewers novel about a man who sells his soul to the Devil with unexpected consequences. The influences are varied and include both Poe and the classic FAUST. Another German Expressionist film, it stars the great Conrad Veidt as an impoverished student who falls in love with a member of the nobility but finds his lack of wealth holding him back. An old man offers him a great amount of cash which he accepts, but in return he finds his reflection stolen.
Veidt gives a fine dual performance in this one and makes for a strong lead, helping the viewer through some of the slower moments. It's well directed and highly dramatic throughout, quite romantic in places, and subtle too, with not much horror content, at least until the ornate climax in which our hero finds himself stalked by an evil doppelganger. This is the part where Veidt's staring eyes and skeletal features really come into their own for a truly creepy and fitting end to what has been an interesting story.
Veidt gives a fine dual performance in this one and makes for a strong lead, helping the viewer through some of the slower moments. It's well directed and highly dramatic throughout, quite romantic in places, and subtle too, with not much horror content, at least until the ornate climax in which our hero finds himself stalked by an evil doppelganger. This is the part where Veidt's staring eyes and skeletal features really come into their own for a truly creepy and fitting end to what has been an interesting story.