Carl Theodor Dreyer

Directing

Carl Theodor Dreyer

Born February 3, 1889 · Copenhagen, Denmark

Died March 20, 1968 · aged 79

Carl Theodor Dreyer (3 February 1889 – 20 March 1968), commonly known as Carl Th. Dreyer, was a Danish film director. He is regarded by many critics and filmmakers as one of the greatest directors in cinema. His best known films include The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), Vampyr (1932), Day of Wrath (1943), Ordet (1955), and Gertrud (1964). Dreyer was born illegitimate in Copenhagen, Denmark. His…

Known For

MedeaMedea · 1989
Medea
6.51989
MovieDramaTV Movie
Medea after having helped the man she loves, Jason, and given him to birth two children, is driven into fury and vengeful madness after he decides to abandon her to become successor to the throne by marring Glauce, the daughter of Creon, king of Corinth.
GertrudGertrud · 1964
Gertrud
7.21964
MovieDramaRomance
Hopeless romantic Gertrud inhabits a turn-of-the-century milieu of artists and musicians, where she pursues an idealized notion of love that will always elude her. She abandons her distinguished husband and embraces an affair with a young concert pianist, who falls short of her desire for lasting affection. When an old lover returns to her life, fresh disappointments follow, and Gertrud must try to come to terms with reality.
The Passion of Joan of ArcThe Passion of Joan of Arc · 1928
The Passion of Joan of Arc
8.01928
MovieDramaHistory
A classic of the silent age, this film tells the story of the doomed but ultimately canonized 15th-century teenage warrior. On trial for claiming she'd spoken to God, Jeanne d'Arc is subjected to inhumane treatment and scare tactics at the hands of church court officials. Initially bullied into changing her story, Jeanne eventually opts for what she sees as the truth. Her punishment, a famously brutal execution, earns her perpetual martyrdom.
OrdetOrdet · 1955
Ordet
8.01955
MovieDrama
The three sons of devout Danish farmer Morten have widely disparate religious beliefs. Youngest son Anders shares his father's religion, but eldest son Mikkel has lost his faith, while middle child Johannes has become delusional and proclaims that he is Jesus Christ himself. When Mikkel's wife, Inger goes into a difficult childbirth, everyone's beliefs are put to the test.
Day of WrathDay of Wrath · 1943
Day of Wrath
8.01943
MovieDramaHistory
In a Danish village in the early 1600s, a young woman named Anne, whose mother was thought to be a witch, develops sympathy toward an old woman, Marte, who is accused of witchcraft. The intervention of Anne's older but kindly husband, Pastor Absalon saved her mother -- but now, urged on by his overbearing mother, he refuses to help Marte. When Absalon's son returns home and is attracted to Anne, it's a matter of time before her family destiny catches up with her.
Carl DreyerCarl Dreyer · 2006
Carl Dreyer
2006
Movie
I made this little film portrait of Dreyer on the 17th of September 1965, in New York. He said he was very interested in what I was trying to do in the possibilities of film portraiture. - Jonas Mekas
Dreyer's GertrudDreyer's Gertrud · 2022
Dreyer's Gertrud
2022
MovieDocumentary
Documentary about the making and reception of Carl Th. Dreyer's final movie, "Gertrud."
Love One AnotherLove One Another · 1922
Love One Another
6.61922
MovieDrama
A look at various lives, one of which is Jewish girl Hanne Liebe, as she grows up and experiences the pains of living as a Jew in Russia, leading to a revolution.

Movies

MedeaMedea · 1989
Medea
6.51989
MovieDramaTV Movie
Medea after having helped the man she loves, Jason, and given him to birth two children, is driven into fury and vengeful madness after he decides to abandon her to become successor to the throne by marring Glauce, the daughter of Creon, king of Corinth.
GertrudGertrud · 1964
Gertrud
7.21964
MovieDramaRomance
Hopeless romantic Gertrud inhabits a turn-of-the-century milieu of artists and musicians, where she pursues an idealized notion of love that will always elude her. She abandons her distinguished husband and embraces an affair with a young concert pianist, who falls short of her desire for lasting affection. When an old lover returns to her life, fresh disappointments follow, and Gertrud must try to come to terms with reality.
The Passion of Joan of ArcThe Passion of Joan of Arc · 1928
The Passion of Joan of Arc
8.01928
MovieDramaHistory
A classic of the silent age, this film tells the story of the doomed but ultimately canonized 15th-century teenage warrior. On trial for claiming she'd spoken to God, Jeanne d'Arc is subjected to inhumane treatment and scare tactics at the hands of church court officials. Initially bullied into changing her story, Jeanne eventually opts for what she sees as the truth. Her punishment, a famously brutal execution, earns her perpetual martyrdom.
OrdetOrdet · 1955
Ordet
8.01955
MovieDrama
The three sons of devout Danish farmer Morten have widely disparate religious beliefs. Youngest son Anders shares his father's religion, but eldest son Mikkel has lost his faith, while middle child Johannes has become delusional and proclaims that he is Jesus Christ himself. When Mikkel's wife, Inger goes into a difficult childbirth, everyone's beliefs are put to the test.
Day of WrathDay of Wrath · 1943
Day of Wrath
8.01943
MovieDramaHistory
In a Danish village in the early 1600s, a young woman named Anne, whose mother was thought to be a witch, develops sympathy toward an old woman, Marte, who is accused of witchcraft. The intervention of Anne's older but kindly husband, Pastor Absalon saved her mother -- but now, urged on by his overbearing mother, he refuses to help Marte. When Absalon's son returns home and is attracted to Anne, it's a matter of time before her family destiny catches up with her.
Carl DreyerCarl Dreyer · 2006
Carl Dreyer
2006
Movie
I made this little film portrait of Dreyer on the 17th of September 1965, in New York. He said he was very interested in what I was trying to do in the possibilities of film portraiture. - Jonas Mekas
Dreyer's GertrudDreyer's Gertrud · 2022
Dreyer's Gertrud
2022
MovieDocumentary
Documentary about the making and reception of Carl Th. Dreyer's final movie, "Gertrud."
Love One AnotherLove One Another · 1922
Love One Another
6.61922
MovieDrama
A look at various lives, one of which is Jewish girl Hanne Liebe, as she grows up and experiences the pains of living as a Jew in Russia, leading to a revolution.
The Fight Against CancerThe Fight Against Cancer · 1947
The Fight Against Cancer
5.91947
MovieDocumentary
A Danish PSA urging people to see the doctor before it's too late to cure their cancer.
Cinéastes de notre temps : Carl Th. DreyerCinéastes de notre temps : Carl Th. Dreyer · 1965
Cinéastes de notre temps : Carl Th. Dreyer
6.81965
MovieTV MovieDocumentary
The Bride of GlomdalThe Bride of Glomdal · 1926
The Bride of Glomdal
6.71926
MovieDramaRomance
Tore, son of a poor farmer, loves Berit, daughter of a rich one, but she's promised to another man whom she does not love and thus refuses to marry.
Two PeopleTwo People · 1945
Two People
6.71945
MovieDrama
Set entirely in one room, an innocent young man is accused of plagiarising the work of an old professor. Later, he is blamed for the professor's murder.
The Parson's WidowThe Parson's Widow · 1920
The Parson's Widow
7.31920
MovieComedyDrama
A newly elected village parson is required to marry his predecessor's widow. However, he's already married, and the woman is old enough to be his grandmother.
Hotel ParadisHotel Paradis · 1917
Hotel Paradis
1917
MovieDrama
The Mystery of the Crown JewelsThe Mystery of the Crown Jewels · 1916
The Mystery of the Crown Jewels
10.01916
MovieCrime
On his way home from a business trip, the young detective Karl Frank meets the siblings Kuno and Margit von Krall. Immediately captivated by Margit’s beauty, Frank accepts an invitation to visit them at their hotel soon. That same evening, he is hired for an important mission: he must prevent a burglary at the city’s jeweller. However, he fails miserably as the mysterious masked thief escapes. He retires to the country estate of his new friends to nurse his wounded pride, still unaware that he will soon become part of a shady business. (Stumfilm.dk)
The PresidentThe President · 1919
The President
6.11919
MovieDrama
A judge sees his illegitimate daughter face trial for infanticide. He's certain that she will receive the death sentence.
Storstrøm BridgeStorstrøm Bridge · 1950
Storstrøm Bridge
5.71950
MovieDocumentary
A wordless ode to the Storstrom bridge.
Carl Th. DreyerCarl Th. Dreyer · 1966
Carl Th. Dreyer
6.81966
MovieDocumentary
A documentary about the famous Danish film director Carl Th. Dreyer, made a few years before he died. In this film Dreyer tells about the style in his feature films and about the important things in film making: the script and the casting. He tells about his theories about setting and acting.
ThorvaldsenThorvaldsen · 1949
Thorvaldsen
5.81949
MovieDocumentary
Documentary short film about the work of Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), one of the most famous Danish sculptors, who spent a good part of his life in Italy.
LydiaLydia · 1918
Lydia
9.01918
Movie
A young bank clerk Karl Fribert falls hopelessly in love with the celebrated operetta primadonna Lydia, and faithfully and chivalrously puts his deepest feelings on display, following the goal of his love so vehemently that he does not turn back from either theft or murder. Lost.
The Cinema of Carl Th. DreyerThe Cinema of Carl Th. Dreyer · 1982
The Cinema of Carl Th. Dreyer
5.81982
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
The Village ChurchThe Village Church · 1947
The Village Church
5.91947
MovieDocumentary
Documentary exploring Denmark’s ancient churches.
Carl Th. Dreyer: My MetierCarl Th. Dreyer: My Metier · 1995
Carl Th. Dreyer: My Metier
6.11995
MovieDocumentary
Torben Skjødt Jensen’s elegant documentary is a collage of memories and reflections on one of cinema’s greatest directors. Visually rich and densely layered, Carl Th. Dreyer—My Metier illuminates an artist too little understood and too important to overlook. Through interviews, historical writings, and rare archival footage, a portrait of Dreyer emerges: an austere perfectionist, yes, but also a passionate man possessing a genuine sense of humor.
MichaelMichael · 1924
Michael
6.31924
MovieDramaRomance
A mature and visually elegant period romance that remains one of the earliest and most compassionate overtly gay-themed films in movie history. Based upon Herman Bang's 1902 novel, Dreyer's Michael refashions the classical Greek myth of Jupiter and Ganymede into a love triangle between an aging artist, Zoret, his protagonist Michael, and Princess Zamikoff, an aristocratic femme fatale as entranced by Michael’s youthful beauty as Zoret is.