Story
Julius Herska’s 1921 film "The Man Who Laughs" is an Austrian silent drama believed to be one of the early adaptations of Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name. Unfortunately, this particular version has largely been lost to time, with little surviving documentation regarding its specifics. Herska was an Austrian director and actor active during the silent film era, best known for his contributions to the Austrian cinema scene in the early 20th century. While information about this adaptation is scant, Herska’s involvement as the director suggests a film rooted in the theatrical and dramatic storytelling styles prevalent during that era.In terms of casting, the specifics are obscure due to the loss of the film and the lack of comprehensive archives keeping track of Austrian films from that period. However, the story’s premise typically involves a disfigured man named Gwynplaine whose face has been carved into a permanent smile, which makes for a compelling narrative about identity and societal perception. The original novel by Hugo provided a rich tapestry for film adaptations, focusing on themes of social injustice and personal anguish, potentially interpreted powerfully in silent cinema’s expressive visual style.While the 1928 American version directed by Paul Leni and starring Conrad Veidt is more famous, the 1921 adaptation holds a significant position as one of the earliest cinematic attempts to bring Hugo’s complex characters and themes to the screen. The lack of preserved materials means it has not been studied or celebrated widely, but it remains an important piece of early Austrian cinema history. As is often the case with silent films from this era, issues around preservation, distribution, and international accessibility have influenced the extent to which they have been remembered or recognized in cinema history.
