Der Blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) Reviews

One of the first films to usher in sound in cinema, "The Blue Angel" remains an outstanding cinematic achievement that has influenced untold numbers of artists in all avenues of performance and exhibition.

Full Review | Original Score: A+

A remarkable performance from Emil Jannings.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Director Von Sternberg does whatever is necessary to emphasize the moral decline of not only Jannings but also the community around him.

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The first film collaboration between Josef von Sternberg and Marlene Dietrich, this reeks with decay and sexuality.

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If The Blue Angel is familiar material, it is also the sort of hing that Jannings does better than anyone else.

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On top of the drawing power of Jannings comes the discovery of a new magnet, Marlene Dietrich.

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Classic Con Sternberg drama which made Dietrich a superstar.

| Original Score: 5/5

There's so much to note in this film, from the dance costumes to the use of the camera and von Sternberg's sense of humour

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A landmark early talkie that's marvelously outdated.

Full Review | Original Score: B+

A seminal work in world cinema, it's best known as the movie that catapulted Dietrich to int'l stardom, but it remains one of the most powerful and disturbing studies of amour fou and sado-masochism.

Full Review | Original Score: A

The film looks and sounds its age, but remains enthralling.

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Not only is Mr. Jannings's and Miss Dietrich's acting excellent, but they are supported by an unusually competent cast.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Exceptionally high drama for its day, this tragic, tragic tale can tend to drag, but it's one of the best examples of well-realized filmmaking from the first half of the 20th century.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

A classic of the German cinema. Jannings is tragic, Dietrich is devastating.

| Original Score: 5/5

Static and dated, its only redemption is Dietrich.

| Original Score: 2/5

Though the film is hopelessly dated by today's standards, it does contain two powerful performances.

Full Review | Original Score: C

Essential Sternberg

| Original Score: 5/5

You can't hear 'Falling In Love Again' too many times.

Full Review | Original Score: A-

Besides discovering Dietrich, von Sternberg created one of the few early sound films to retain the bravura cinema of the late silent era.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4

It's a brilliant, vitriolic condemnation of pre-WWII German Conservatism.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4