‘The Man Who Laughs’ [Masters of Cinema] on Blu-ray August 17, 2020!
One of the most visually striking of all the later silent films, The Man Who Laughs reunites German Expressionism director Paul Leni and cinematographer Gilbert Warrenton from their horror hit the previous year, The Cat and the Canary (1927). Both films are often considered to be among the earliest works of legendary horror classics from Universal Studios, yet the undeniably eerie The Man Who Laughs is more accurately described as a Gothic melodrama. However, its influence on the genre and the intensity of the imagery art director Charles Hall and makeup genius Jack Pierce would go on to define the look of those 1930s Universal horror landmarks have redefined it as an early horror classic, bolstered by one of the most memorable performances of the period. Adapted from the Victor Hugo novel, The Man Who Laughs is Gwynplaine (an extraordinary Conrad Veidt), a carnival sideshow performer in 17th-century England, his face mutilated into a permanent, ghoulish grin by his executed father’s royal court enemies. Gwynplaine struggles through life with the blind Dea (Phantom of the Opera‘s Mary Philbin) as his companion though she is unable to see it, his disfigurement still causes Gwynplaine to believe he is unworthy of her love. But when his proper royal lineage becomes known by Queen Anne, Gwynplaine must choose between regaining a life of privilege, or embracing a new life of freedom with Dea.
One of the most iconic and influential silent films of all time
The startling makeup on Veidt was the acknowledged direct inspiration for The Joker in the 1940 Batman comic that introduced the character, and film versions of The Joker have been even more specific in their references to Leni’s film. While The Man Who Laughs contains powerful elements of tragedy, doomed romance, and even swashbuckling swordplay, its influence on horror cinema is most pronounced. Leni died suddenly at the age of 44 a year after this film (with Veidt also unexpectedly passing away too soon in 1943), and The Man Who Laughs endures as one of the most haunting and stylish American silent films, made just as that era was coming to a close. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present the film on home video for the first time ever in the UK.
BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
- LIMITED EDITION O CARD (2000 UNITS)
- 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from Universal s 4K restoration
- Uncompressed LPCM 2.0 (stereo) score by the Berklee School of Music
- Uncompressed LPCM 2.0 (mono) 1928 movietone score
- A brand new interview with author and horror expert Kim Newman
- A brand new video essay by David Cairns and Fiona Watson
- Paul Leni and “The Man Who Laughs” featurette on the production of the film
- Rare stills gallery
- A collector s booklet featuring new writing by Travis Crawford, and Richard Combs
DETAILS:
Label: Eureka!
Title| THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (Masters of Cinema) Blu-ray
Starring| CONRAD VEIDT | MARY PHILBIN
Director| PAUL LENI
Blu-ray Cat. No.| EKA70393
Blu-ray Barcode| 5060000703931
Blu-ray RRP| £22.99
Release Date| 17 August 2020
Certificate| PG (TBC)
Run Time| 110 minutes
OAR| 1.2:1
Picture| B&W
Genre| Horror / Melodrama
Year| 1928
Country| USA
Language| English
Subtitles| SILENT (English Intertitles)
The Man Who Laughs is released
on Blu-ray in the UK August 17, 2020!
ORDER NOW!
Gerard Iribe
Gerard Iribe is a writer/reviewer for Why So Blu?. He has also reviewed for other sites like DVD Talk, Project-Blu, and CHUD, but Why So Blu? is where the heart is. You can follow his incoherency on Twitter: @giribe
