Tartuffe

Plot

In this innovative German silent film, a young man named André seeks to warn his wealthy grandfather about the manipulative housekeeper who has ingratiated herself into the household and is scheming to acquire the family fortune. When his grandfather refuses to listen to his warnings, André decides to create and show him a film adaptation of Molière's classic play 'Tartuffe,' hoping the story of a religious hypocrite who deceives a wealthy family will mirror their own situation and expose the housekeeper's true intentions. The film within the film depicts Tartuffe, a pious imposter who gains the trust of the wealthy Orgon family, only to attempt to seduce Orgon's wife and seize their property. As the grandfather watches the cinematic adaptation, he begins to recognize the parallels between Tartuffe's deception and his own housekeeper's manipulations. The dual narrative structure culminates in the grandfather's realization and the exposure of the housekeeper's fraudulent schemes, ultimately restoring family harmony and demonstrating the power of cinema as a tool for moral education and social commentary.

Historical Background

The film was produced during the Weimar Republic's golden age of cinema, a period when German films were among the most innovative and influential in the world. 1925-1926 was a time of significant political and economic instability in Germany, with hyperinflation having recently been controlled but social tensions remaining high. This context of social upheaval and moral questioning made Molière's themes of hypocrisy and corruption particularly relevant to contemporary German audiences. The film industry was also in transition, with UFA facing financial difficulties that would eventually lead to American investment and the exodus of many German directors to Hollywood. Murnau made this film just before his own departure to America, and it reflects his desire to create more accessible, universally appealing cinema while maintaining his artistic integrity. The period also saw growing tensions between traditional values and modern sensibilities, themes that resonate throughout the film's dual narrative structure.

Making Of

The production of 'Tartuffe' represented a significant artistic challenge for F.W. Murnau, who sought to create a film that was both entertaining and socially relevant. The decision to use a framing device was innovative for the time, allowing Murnau to comment on the contemporary relevance of Molière's 17th-century play. The collaboration with Emil Jannings was particularly fruitful, as the actor brought both comedic gravitas to the role of Tartuffe and subtlety to his performance in the modern sequences. Murnau experimented with lighting and camera movement to create visual distinctions between the two narrative levels, using more expressionistic techniques for the play adaptation and more naturalistic approaches for the framing story. The production team faced technical challenges in creating seamless transitions between the two worlds, particularly in scenes where characters interact with the film-within-the-film. Despite UFA's financial pressures during this period, Murnau was given considerable artistic freedom, allowing him to explore his interest in using cinema as a medium for moral and social commentary.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Karl Freund and Robert Neppach employs distinct visual styles to differentiate between the framing story and the play adaptation. The modern sequences use more naturalistic lighting and conventional camera work, while the Tartuffe play segments incorporate more expressionistic techniques, including dramatic shadows and unusual camera angles. Freund, who had worked with Murnau on previous films, experimented with moving camera shots that were innovative for the time. The film uses lighting to create moral contrasts, with the hypocritical characters often shown in shadow while the virtuous characters are illuminated more naturally. The cinematography also employs careful composition to emphasize the theatrical origins of the Tartuffe story while making it distinctly cinematic. The visual distinction between the two narrative levels was achieved through different film stocks and processing techniques, creating subtle but effective visual contrasts.

Innovations

The film's most significant technical achievement was its successful implementation of a complex narrative structure that was unprecedented for its time. Murnau and his team developed innovative editing techniques to create smooth transitions between the modern framing story and the period adaptation. The production used advanced lighting techniques to create distinct visual atmospheres for the two narrative levels. The film also experimented with special effects to show characters watching the film-within-the-film, requiring careful camera work and set design. The makeup and costume design, particularly for Emil Jannings in the title role, were technically sophisticated for the period. The film's preservation and restoration have also involved significant technical challenges, with modern digital techniques used to repair damage to the original elements and recreate missing scenes where possible.

Music

As a silent film, 'Tartuffe' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The score would have varied by theater, with larger cinemas employing full orchestras while smaller venues used piano or organ accompaniment. The music likely drew on classical French influences for the Tartuffe sequences and more contemporary German music for the framing story. Modern restorations of the film have featured newly composed scores by silent film specialists, who attempt to capture the film's dual nature through musical contrasts. Some contemporary screenings use period-appropriate French and German classical music to enhance the film's cultural context. The original musical cues and compositions for the film, if they existed, have not survived, leaving modern interpreters to create their own accompaniments based on the film's visual and emotional tone.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where the young man convinces his grandfather to watch the film, establishing the meta-narrative framework
• Tartuffe's first appearance, where Emil Jannings transforms from pious devotee to scheming manipulator through subtle performance changes
• The scene where Tartuffe attempts to seduce Elmire, using dramatic lighting and camera angles to heighten the tension
• The grandfather's gradual realization of the parallels between the film and his own situation, shown through increasingly concerned reactions
• The final confrontation where the housekeeper is exposed, bringing the two narrative threads together in a satisfying resolution

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film's technical innovations and Emil Jannings' performance, though some found the dual narrative structure confusing. German critics particularly appreciated Murnau's ability to make Molière's 17th-century play relevant to modern audiences. International reviews were mixed, with some critics considering the film too intellectual for popular audiences while others admired its artistic ambitions. Over time, film scholars have come to recognize 'Tartuffe' as an important transitional work in Murnau's career, demonstrating his evolution toward the more naturalistic style that would characterize his Hollywood films. Modern critics have reevaluated the film positively, noting its innovative narrative structure and its role in the development of meta-cinema. The film is now regarded as a significant, if lesser-known, work in the German Expressionist canon and an important example of 1920s European cinema's artistic achievements.

What Audiences Thought

Initial audience reception in Germany was moderate, with the film failing to match the commercial success of Murnau's previous works like 'The Last Laugh.' Some viewers found the film-within-a-film structure difficult to follow, particularly those less familiar with Molière's original play. However, educated audiences and theater-goers appreciated the clever adaptation and the film's social commentary. The film performed better in urban centers with more sophisticated cinema audiences, particularly in Berlin. International audiences had limited exposure to the film, as its distribution was primarily focused on German-speaking markets. Over time, as the film has been restored and made more accessible through film festivals and home video, it has found appreciation among cinephiles and students of silent cinema who value its historical significance and artistic innovations.

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