Paul Wegener

Acting

Paul Wegener

Born December 11, 1874 · Arnoldsdorf, West Prussia, Germany [now Jarantowice, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland]

Died September 13, 1948 · aged 73

Paul Wegener was a German actor known for his pioneering roles in Expressionist films. He can also be considered a father of horror for his breakout role in The Student of Prague (1913). Wegener maintained a career throughout and after the Nazi era, starring in his last film in 1948.

Known For

Rübezahl's WeddingRübezahl's Wedding · 1916
Rübezahl's Wedding
5.01916
MovieFantasy
In this film, the people of a Tyrolean town climb up into the nearby mountains, searching for a place where they can hold a picnic and a spring festival: ideally, a place where they can eventually erect dwellings and cultivate crops. Led by the local nobleman (Arthur Ehrens), they find an appropriate spot, and the festivities begin. Some children briefly perform a charming folk dance. Suddenly the Rübezahl arrives and threatens to kill all the townsfolk if they don't leave immediately.
Eyes of LoveEyes of Love · 1951
Eyes of Love
7.31951
MovieDrama
A terrible accident robs the successful artist Imhoff of his sight—a jet of flame shoots out of the kiln where he hardens his sculptures, and his career seems over. An attempt to surgically restore his sight fails. While he lies in his sickbed, the sensitive nurse Agnes tenderly cares for her patient. She gives him courage when he is on the verge of despair. Thus, a tender love slowly develops between patient and nurse. Eventually, Imhoff and Agnes marry, and his first attempt at sculpture, even in his blindness, is to be a sculpture of his wife's face. However, since Imhoff has never seen Agnes, she fears he will create an idealized image of her that she cannot live up to. Therefore, after a second operation, he initially conceals the fact that he can see again. He wants to "get used to" his wife first... But how long can he maintain the charade?
Wedding in BarenhofWedding in Barenhof · 1942
Wedding in Barenhof
7.01942
MovieDrama
Lothar von Pütz and Roswitha von Krakow fall in love and only then discover that their fathers are bitter enemies. When Lothar's father dies, a close friend of his father's, Baron Maximilian von Hanckel, takes the boy under his wing and tries to make peace between the families. He visits Roswitha's father, who begins to hope that he can marry his daughter to the older, but wealthy, baron, who is still a bachelor. When an argument breaks out between Lothar and Roswitha, she agrees to marry Maximilian. It is only at the pre-wedding party that Roswitha and Lothar have a real conversation. Maximilian overhears everything, releases Roswitha from her vows, and brings the two young people together.
Only a ComedianOnly a Comedian · 1935
Only a Comedian
6.91935
MovieDrama
A moving actor at the rococo era shows the power-hungry-crude minister of a small state prince in the barriers, while he makes use of his resemblance to the sovereign and slips in his role. - Double role for Rudolf Forster who plays his figures very much chilly.
KolbergKolberg · 1945
Kolberg
6.11945
MovieWarHistory
During Napoleon's victorious campaign in Germany, the city of Kolberg gets isolated from the retreating Prussian forces. The population of Kolberg refuses to capitulate and organizes the resistance against the French army, which immediately submits the city to massive bombardments.
Krach und Glück um KünnemannKrach und Glück um Künnemann · 1937
Krach und Glück um Künnemann
7.01937
MovieComedy
The GolemThe Golem · 1915
The Golem
6.71915
MovieHorrorFantasy
This mostly lost film is often confused with director Paul Wegener third and readily available interpretation of the legend; Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam (1920). In this version of the golem legend, the golem, a clay statue brought to life by Rabbi Loew in 16th century Prague to save the Jews from the ongoing brutal persecution by the city's rulers, is found in the rubble of an old synagogue in the 20th century. Brought to life by an antique dealer, the golem is used as a menial servant. Eventually falling in love with the dealer's wife, it goes on a murderous rampage when its love for her goes unanswered.
The Golem: How He Came into the WorldThe Golem: How He Came into the World · 1920
The Golem: How He Came into the World
7.01920
MovieFantasyHorror
In 16th-century Prague, a rabbi creates the Golem - a giant creature made of clay. Using sorcery, he brings the creature to life in order to protect the Jews of Prague from persecution.

Filmography

Sort
Eyes of LoveEyes of Love · 1951
Eyes of Love
7.31951
MovieDrama
A terrible accident robs the successful artist Imhoff of his sight—a jet of flame shoots out of the kiln where he hardens his sculptures, and his career seems over. An attempt to surgically restore his sight fails. While he lies in his sickbed, the sensitive nurse Agnes tenderly cares for her patient. She gives him courage when he is on the verge of despair. Thus, a tender love slowly develops between patient and nurse. Eventually, Imhoff and Agnes marry, and his first attempt at sculpture, even in his blindness, is to be a sculpture of his wife's face. However, since Imhoff has never seen Agnes, she fears he will create an idealized image of her that she cannot live up to. Therefore, after a second operation, he initially conceals the fact that he can see again. He wants to "get used to" his wife first... But how long can he maintain the charade?

Prof. Mochmann

TwilightTwilight · 1940
Twilight
7.51940
MovieDrama
Walter Gruber once belonged to a group of unscrupulous, money-grubbing poachers. Now released from prison, he is determined never to touch a gun again. He was imprisoned for poaching, but they couldn't prove he fired the shot that wounded forester Kuhnert. Upon his return home, Walter is horrified to discover that his former lover, Kuhnert's daughter Grete, has since married someone else. Grete still loves Walter, with whom she was pregnant. But her father would have made life a living hell for her and the child had she not married another man. This man, Robert Thiele, is still poaching and is extremely ruthless in his methods. Robert eventually blackmails Walter into rejoining the poachers. When the gang shoots the old forester Kuhnert, Robert shifts suspicion onto Walter.

Förster Kuhnert

FundvogelFundvogel · 1930
Fundvogel
10.01930
MovieDrama
Young Jan Bergwall visits his grandmother, the so-called centenary, at Woyland Castle. There he meets his cousin Andrea, who everyone calls "Fundvogel". Jan is fascinated by the young girl's beauty, and soon there is an erotic tension in the air between the two. Although they both have strong feelings for each other, they are afraid to make a commitment, even though their domineering grandmother is determined that they marry. Panicked that he might feel obliged to marry Andrea, Jan escapes from this place. Andrea is deeply disappointed and seeks revenge. Out of spite, she becomes involved with the falconer Bartel and is later raped in a wooden hut. The centigress, concerned about morals and customs, then sends Fundvogel to a convent. She escapes from there and flees into the arms of Jan. When he learns from a letter from the countess what has happened to Andrea, he leaves her a second time. In her despair, Fundvogel then throws herself off a bridge into the floods with suicidal intent.

Professor Reutlinger

A Daughter Of DestinyA Daughter Of Destiny · 1928
A Daughter Of Destiny
6.61928
MovieDramaFantasy
Hanns Heinz Ewers' grim science-fiction novel Alraune has already been filmed twice when this version was assembled in 1928. In another of his "mad doctor" roles, Paul Wegener plays Professor Brinken, sociopathic scientist who combines the genes of an executed murderer with those of a prostitute. The result is a beautiful young woman named Alraune (Brigitte Helm), who is incapable of feeling any real emotions -- least of all guilt or regret. Upon attaining adulthood, Alraune sets about to seduce and destroy every male who crosses her path. Ultimately, Professor Brinken is hoist on his own petard when he falls hopelessly in love with Alraune himself. Alraune was remade in 1930, with Brigitte Helm repeating her role, and again in 1951, with Hildegarde Knef as the "heroine" and Erich von Stroheim as her misguided mentor.

Professor ten Brinken