Flesh and the Devil (1926)

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Marian Ainslee (titles)
Benjamin Glazer (writer)

Release Date:

25 December 1926 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Leo and Ulrich are life long friends. Home, on leave from their military training, Leo sees the beautiful Felicitas at the railroad station...

Plot Keywords:

Duel | Male Female Relationship | Friendship | Love | Homoeroticism

Awards:

1 win

Cast

John Gilbert	...	Leo von Harden
Greta Garbo	...	Felicitas
Lars Hanson	...	Ulrich von Eltz
Barbara Kent	...	Hertha von Eltz
William Orlamond	...	Uncle Kutowski
George Fawcett	...	Pastor Voss
Eugenie Besserer	...	Leo's Mother
Marc McDermott	...	Count von Rhaden
Marcelle Corday	...	Minna

Runtime:

UK:109 min | USA:113 min (Turner library print)

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

UK:PG

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

According to Barry Paris's commentary on the 2005 DVD release, Garbo initially refused to do this film, which was scheduled for production immediately following her last picture, and also not long after the death of her sister from cancer. MGM sent her a sternly worded telegram, and she capitulated.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Leo is talking to Felicitas on the bench in the park and tells her that he must go to Africa, the position of the collar of his overcoat repeatedly changes from pulled up to flat.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Indie Sex: Extremes (2007) (TV)

Soundtrack:

ATRA

Garbo gives the most erotic performance and stays fully clothed

Flesh and the Devil is a classic. It shows how an actress could use her face and eyes to seduce and not have to speak one word. Greta Garbo in the scene where John Gilbert and she leave the party and step outside-is truly erotic-it is so sad that now days we show everything-there is and never will be another Garbo. She was stunning! And what she does in that one scene puts all other actresses to shame! Sorry but Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct does not compare to the classiness-of not showing any skin. And I personally like Sharon Stone as a person and she is very charismatic but in thinking of a comparison of a seductress-I say Garbo wins out over them all-see this film and let me know if you agree! Also John Gilbert has been so overlooked, a very handsome and charismatic star in his own right. So sad that he passed so young.