Homunculus (film)

Homunculus is a six chapter German science fiction silent serial directed by Otto Rippert and written by Robert Reinert.[2] Other sources list Robert Neuss as a co-writer.[3] It was the most successful German-made serial produced during World War I, and was theatrically shown in six separate installments, each part running approximately one hour. Chapter one was released in August 1916.

Homunculus, 1. Teil
Directed byOtto Rippert
Produced byHanns Lippmann
Written byRobert Reinert
StarringOlaf Fønss
Ernst Ludwig
CinematographyCarl Hoffmann
Release date
August, 1916[1]
Running time
approx. 6h
CountryGermany
LanguageSilent
German intertitles

The plot was very similar to Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, wherein a living creature (called a homunculus) is created artificially in a laboratory and strives to develop emotions like a human being. (Frankenstein had previously been filmed by Thomas Edison in the United States in 1909.)[4] The film was re-released with colored tints and Italian language intertitles in 1920, and it is this print that exists in the George Eastman Museum film archives.[5]

Plot

A scientist creates a living creature called a Homunculus (a Latin word which means little man) in a laboratory, and the creature strives to find love. When it discovers it is unable to feel emotions, it goes on a rampage and starts creating havoc in a nearby German village. Although it looks human, it is a soulless being. The scientist hunts down the creature in an attempt to destroy his creation. The theme of an artificially created being turning against its creator is also similar to the Golem films of Paul Wegener and the silent film versions of Henrik Galeen's Alraune.[6]

Cast

References
  1. http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/Homunculus1916.html
  3. http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/Homunculus1916.html
  4. Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 172. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2.
  5. http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/Homunculus1916.html
  6. Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 172. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2.
  7. Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 172. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2.


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