Manfred Noa's adaptation of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's stage play is one of the completely forgotten classics of German silent cinema. It is an appeal to peace and tolerance that was violently attacked by the Nazis. The story which takes place againsr the backdrop of religious wars between Christians, Islamists and Jews in 12th-century Jerusalem shows Werner Krauss (Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari) in one of his best roles. The Filmmuseum München has restored the only surviving elements of this silent masterpiece and researched the film's production and reception.
Nathan der Weise (tinted and toned), directed by Manfred Noa, Germany 1922 (123')
Music score by Aljoscha Zimmermann, performed by Sabrina Hausmann (violin) and Mark Pogolski (piano)
Improvised piano score by Joachim Bärenz
Lobby cards from 1923
16 page booklet about the film's production and reception
Edition Filmmuseum 10
Language Deutsch (intertitles) Subtitles english, français, español, português, italiano a.o.
Screen 1:1.33 - 4/3 PAL Sound Music score DD 2.0 FSK 14 Region code All Regions
