Der Januskopf (lost F. W. Murnau film; 1920): Difference between revisions

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'''''Der Januskopf''''' (translated to English as ''The Head of Janus'') was a silent German horror film released in 1920. It is one of three adaptions of the novel ''Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde'' to be released that year, and the only of the 1920 adaptations to be considered lost. It was done without securing the rights to adapt the novel from the estate of Robert Lewis Stevenson. Directed by German cinema legend F. W. Murnau (who had some future success with unauthorized adaptions with the 1922 film ''Nosferatu''). The film starred Comrad Veidt, who is well known for his role as Cesare in the horror film ''The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'' and later starred as Gwynplaine in the 1928 film ''The Man Who Laughs''. The film also featured horror legend Bela Legosi (from Tod Browning's 1931 film ''Dracula'') in a minor role. The cinematographer, Karl Freud, may also be a familiar name to some people, as he went on to direct ''The Mummy'' in 1932.
{{InfoboxLost
|title=<center>Der Januskopf</center>
|image=Tumblr lutaayfhwz1qdfhwbo1 500.jpg
|imagecaption=Advertisement poster for the film.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
}}
'''''Der Januskopf''''' (translated to English as ''The Head of Janus'') is a 1920 silent German horror film directed by F. W. Murnau, who went on to direct ''Nosferatu'' in 1922, and starred Conrad Veidt (''The Cabinet of Dr Caligari'' and ''The Man Who Laughs'') as well as Bela Lugosi in a minor role. It is one of three adaptions of the novel ''Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde'' to be released that year, done without securing the rights to adapt the novel. It is believed that the film used one of the first instances of a moving-camera shot in cinematic history.  


No footage from the film is believed to still be in existence, however there are a handful of surviving stills, which can be found online. The script also is believed to survive however it cannot be found on the internet. It is believed to have used one of the first instances of a moving camera in cinema. 
The film reportedly followed the novel very loosely. Instead of using a potion to transform, the doctor uses a cursed statue of the two-faced Roman god Janus. Also, much like the film ''Nosferatu'', the names were changed in hopes of avoiding getting caught infringing copyright.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=3-ehQgAACAAJ&q=overlook+film+encyclopedia</ref>


The film followed the novel very loosely. Instead of using a potion to transform, the Dr. uses a cursed statue of the Roman god Janus. Also much like the film ''Nosferatu'', the names were changed in hopes of avoiding getting caught infringing copyright. Dr. Jeckyll for example was changed to Dr. Warren.
While the film itself has been lost,<ref>[http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/J/Januskopf1920.html Silentera page for the film.] Retrieved 05 Apr '19</ref> the script is believed to still exist somewhere. FilmAffinity listed the film at 107 minutes; however, its full length is unknown.<ref>https://www.filmaffinity.com/au/film157276.html</ref>


Horror host Penny Dreadful XIII has stated that this is her most wanted lost horror film.
==Video==
<gallery mode=packed heights=175px>
{{Video|perrow  =1
File:Tumblr lutaayfhwz1qdfhwbo1 500.jpg|Advertisement poster for the film.
  |service1    =youtube
File:Der-januskopf-1.jpg|A still from the film.
  |id1          =gG5ohzIxgsk
</gallery>
  |description1 =Compilation of existing stills.
}}
 
==Reference==
{{reflist}}
 
==External Link==
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Head_of_Janus


[[Category:Lost films]]
[[Category:Lost films]]
[[Category:Historic]]
[[Category:Completely lost media]]

Latest revision as of 22:29, 24 August 2022

Tumblr lutaayfhwz1qdfhwbo1 500.jpg

Advertisement poster for the film.

Status: Lost

Der Januskopf (translated to English as The Head of Janus) is a 1920 silent German horror film directed by F. W. Murnau, who went on to direct Nosferatu in 1922, and starred Conrad Veidt (The Cabinet of Dr Caligari and The Man Who Laughs) as well as Bela Lugosi in a minor role. It is one of three adaptions of the novel Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to be released that year, done without securing the rights to adapt the novel. It is believed that the film used one of the first instances of a moving-camera shot in cinematic history.

The film reportedly followed the novel very loosely. Instead of using a potion to transform, the doctor uses a cursed statue of the two-faced Roman god Janus. Also, much like the film Nosferatu, the names were changed in hopes of avoiding getting caught infringing copyright.[1]

While the film itself has been lost,[2] the script is believed to still exist somewhere. FilmAffinity listed the film at 107 minutes; however, its full length is unknown.[3]

Video

Compilation of existing stills.

Reference

External Link

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Head_of_Janus