Sumurun
Plot
In an exotic Arabian setting, the tyrannical Sheik loves his favorite slave girl Yscha, but she has fallen in love with a humble cloth merchant named Nur-Al Din. Meanwhile, a traveling circus arrives featuring a hunchback clown named Puffta who is hopelessly in love with the beautiful dancer Maranna, who dreams of joining the Sheik's harem. When Maranna catches the Sheik's eye, she manipulates the situation to enter the harem, causing a chain of romantic complications. The story intertwines multiple love stories as characters navigate desire, jealousy, and social hierarchy in this melodramatic tale of unrequited and forbidden love set against an opulent backdrop of Arabian Nights fantasy.
About the Production
The film was part of Lubitsch's series of exotic costume dramas that established his international reputation. The production featured elaborate sets and costumes designed to create an authentic Arabian atmosphere. Lubitsch both directed and acted in the film, playing the role of the hunchback clown Puffta. The film was made during the height of German Expressionist cinema, though Lubitsch's style was more influenced by his background in comedy and sophisticated visual storytelling. The production design was handled by Hans Dreier, who would later become a prominent Hollywood art director.
Historical Background
'Sumurun' was produced in 1920, a pivotal year in German cinema history. This period saw German film emerging as a major artistic force, with Expressionism taking hold and directors like F.W. Murnau, Fritz Lang, and Lubitsch gaining international recognition. The film was made in the aftermath of World War I, during the Weimar Republic, when German cinema was experiencing both artistic innovation and commercial success. The exotic settings and elaborate productions of films like 'Sumurun' offered audiences escapist entertainment during a period of economic hardship and social upheaval. The film's international success helped establish German cinema's reputation for technical excellence and artistic ambition, paving the way for the German diaspora of talent that would later enrich Hollywood. The period also saw the rise of the star system in German cinema, with actors like Pola Negri becoming international celebrities.
Why This Film Matters
'Sumurun' represents an important milestone in the development of Ernst Lubitsch's distinctive directorial style and the evolution of romantic comedy in cinema. The film demonstrated Lubitsch's ability to blend comedy, romance, and drama with sophisticated visual storytelling techniques that would become his trademark. It also helped launch Pola Negri as an international star, representing one of the first instances of a European actress achieving worldwide fame through cinema. The film's exotic setting and elaborate production values influenced the trend of Orientalist films in the 1920s, while Lubitsch's approach to visual storytelling and character development contributed to the evolution of narrative cinema techniques. The success of 'Sumurun' and other Lubitsch films from this period helped establish the template for sophisticated romantic comedies that would influence filmmakers for decades.
Making Of
The production of 'Sumurun' represented Ernst Lubitsch at the peak of his German period, combining his talents as both director and actor. The film was made during a particularly creative period in German cinema, with Lubitsch establishing himself as a master of both comedy and drama. Working with cinematographer Theodor Sparkuhl, Lubitsch developed sophisticated visual techniques that would later influence his Hollywood work. The chemistry between Lubitsch and Pola Negri was particularly notable, as this was one of several collaborations that helped define both of their careers. The elaborate production design by Hans Dreier created an authentic Arabian atmosphere that impressed international audiences and demonstrated the technical sophistication of German film production in the early 1920s. The film's success in international markets, particularly in America, directly led to Lubitsch's recruitment by Hollywood studios.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Theodor Sparkuhl featured sophisticated lighting techniques and camera movements that were advanced for the period. The film employed elaborate set designs and lighting to create an exotic Arabian atmosphere entirely within German studios. Sparkuhl and Lubitsch used innovative techniques such as soft focus lighting for romantic scenes and dramatic shadows to enhance the emotional impact. The visual style combined elements of German Expressionism with more naturalistic approaches, creating a distinctive look that balanced artistic innovation with narrative clarity. The film's visual sophistication demonstrated the technical excellence of German film production in the early 1920s and influenced cinematic visual language internationally.
Innovations
The film featured innovative set design and construction techniques that allowed for the creation of elaborate Arabian palace interiors and outdoor scenes entirely within studio confines. The production demonstrated advanced makeup and costume design capabilities, particularly in creating the hunchback character and authentic-looking period costumes. Lubitsch employed sophisticated editing techniques to weave together multiple storylines, showing advanced narrative construction for the period. The film's lighting techniques, particularly in creating mood and atmosphere, represented significant technical achievement in early cinematography. The production also showcased advanced techniques in creating crowd scenes and large-scale set pieces that maintained visual clarity while creating impressive spectacle.
Music
As a silent film, 'Sumurun' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The score would typically have been compiled from existing classical pieces or specially composed music to match the film's exotic setting and emotional tone. While no original score documentation survives, the film's romantic and dramatic elements would have required a varied musical accompaniment ranging from sweeping romantic themes to more playful comedic motifs. Modern screenings of the film often feature newly composed scores that attempt to recreate the spirit of the original accompaniment while utilizing contemporary musical sensibilities. Some versions have been scored with authentic Middle Eastern instruments to enhance the exotic atmosphere.
Famous Quotes
As a silent film, 'Sumurun' featured no spoken dialogue, but relied on intertitles for narrative exposition and emotional expression. The film's emotional impact was conveyed through visual storytelling, facial expressions, and musical accompaniment rather than memorable spoken lines.
Memorable Scenes
- The climactic scene where the hunchback clown Puffta (played by Lubitsch) performs his tragic routine, combining comedy and pathos in a way that exemplifies Lubitsch's sophisticated approach to blending genres. The elaborate harem scenes featuring Pola Negri showcased the film's impressive production design and visual sophistication. The marketplace scenes where the cloth merchant first encounters the slave girl demonstrated Lubitsch's ability to create romantic tension through visual composition and actor performance. The circus arrival sequence provided opportunities for visual spectacle and introduced the film's themes of illusion and reality.
Did You Know?
- The film was also known as 'One Arabian Night' in some international markets and 'Sumurun, das Märchen aus dem 1001. Nacht' in Germany
- Ernst Lubitsch both directed and starred in the film, playing the hunchback clown Puffta
- This was one of Pola Negri's breakthrough roles that helped launch her international career
- The film was based on a 1910 stage pantomime by Friedrich Freksa titled 'Sumurun'
- Paul Wegener, famous for 'The Golem' films, plays the Sheik
- The film was a commercial success and helped establish Lubitsch's reputation in Hollywood
- A sound remake was made in 1933 titled 'The Merry Monarch' (also known as 'The Desert Song'), though without Lubitsch's involvement
- The film showcases Lubitsch's early development of what would become known as the 'Lubitsch Touch'
- It was one of the last German films Lubitsch made before moving to Hollywood in 1922
- The film's exotic setting was created entirely on studio sets at Tempelhof Studios in Berlin
- The cinematographer was Theodor Sparkuhl, who would later work in Hollywood
- The film's success led to Lubitsch being recruited by Hollywood studios
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics praised 'Sumurun' for its visual sophistication, elaborate production design, and Lubitsch's deft handling of multiple storylines. The film was particularly noted for its blend of comedy and drama, with reviewers highlighting Lubitsch's performance as the hunchback clown and Pola Negri's magnetic screen presence. International critics recognized the film as evidence of German cinema's technical and artistic advancement. Modern critics and film historians view 'Sumurun' as an important transitional work in Lubitsch's career, showing the development of what would become known as the 'Lubitsch Touch' - his sophisticated approach to visual storytelling and romantic comedy. The film is often cited as a key example of early 1920s German cinema's influence on international film style.
What Audiences Thought
The film was a commercial success both in Germany and internationally, helping to establish Ernst Lubitsch as a director of international stature. Audiences were particularly drawn to the exotic settings, elaborate costumes, and the romantic storyline. Pola Negri's performance created a sensation and helped build her fan base across Europe and America. The film's success demonstrated the international appeal of German cinema and contributed to the growing recognition of film as a sophisticated art form. Contemporary audience reactions were generally enthusiastic, with many praising the film's visual beauty and emotional depth. The film's popularity helped cement the trend for exotic costume dramas in the early 1920s.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Arabian Nights tales
- German Expressionist cinema
- 19th century Orientalist art and literature
- Stage pantomime traditions
- Viennese operetta
This Film Influenced
- The Sheik (1921)
- The Thief of Bagdad (1924)
- Kismet (1930)
- The Garden of Allah (1936)
- The Merry Monarch (1933)
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Film Restoration
The film survives in various archives and has been restored by film preservation institutions. While some deterioration is evident due to the film's age, it remains largely intact and accessible for study and viewing. The restoration work has helped preserve the visual quality of Lubitsch's cinematography and the elaborate production design. The film exists in the collections of major film archives including the Museum of Modern Art, the Deutsche Kinemathek, and the British Film Institute. Some versions may be incomplete or show signs of nitrate decomposition, but the film is generally considered to be in good preservation status for a film of its age.