Pandora’s Box (Die Büchse der Pandora) by G.W. Pabst 1929

The Criterion Collection did an amazing restoration of Pandora’s Box by G.W. Pabst. Such stark black and white. It’s a lot more complex than you think a silent movie will be. Louise Brooks gives an amazing performance without the usual pantomime of silent performances. The showgirl, Lulu, in this film was something of a German staple at the time and the public was not happy with an American filling the role. Brooks showed a lot of range with the rise and fall of Lulu. Starting out as a sassy show girl and “kept woman,” to being the center of a crime of the century and meeting a so-called Ripper in London. The DVD extras have a few interviews with Brooks herself, who faded into obscurity after her somewhat scandalous career and personal life.

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