Vorwort | Filmdaten bis 1920 | Filmdaten ab 1920 | Filmdaten noch nicht hier | Nicht-Filmdaten |
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This is a translation of the screenplay by
Arndt Pawelczik, Köln.:
I have tried to keep the translation as close to the German
original as possible. I have not corrected it or tried to
"improve" it in any way. Some of the German text is almost
in telegram style, leading to ungrammatical structures such
as using golem and Jew without definite articles. These
structures appear in the English translation, where they are
just as ungrammatical. The word "Schenn" is used in the
German screenplay for the bit of parchment scroll with the
spell inside the capsule in the golem's chest instead of the
more familiar spelling "shem".
Der Golem
Fantastic photoplay in four acts
by
Paul Wegener and Heinrich Galeen
Act 1
Title: The Diviner
1. A field with a town in the background. Several workmen
stand around the diviner - they blindfold him. The diviner
picks up the divining rod - he sets off.
2. A different place in the same field. - The divining rod
is twitching. The workmen take off their jackets - start
digging. Suddenly a workman's spade gets stuck in the soil,
only to disappear in the ground at the next stab.
Title: Roused from a rest of centuries
3. A vault. Filmed into the sunlight. Suddenly mud and
debris drop from the ceiling. Stones gets dislodged, a spade
cuts through. A ray of sunlight penetrates and illuminates
the face of a giant figure, half buried in the ground. The
head is covered in cobwebs. First a lantern, then a ladder
are lowered through the opening.
Title: The miracle rabbi's treasure
4. People inside the vault. Prodding around, examining the
half-buried liturgical objects, chests, menorahs. One of
them discovers the figure, wipes the cobwebs off its face,
looks at it with an astonished smile.
Title: Old Aaron ought to take a look at this
5. The three men discuss the matter. One of them climbs the
ladder.
6. Field above the vault. The workman climbs out of the
hole. Puts his jacket on ina hurry, walks off.
7. Street. The workman walks down an old street, looking for
Aaron's shop.
8. The outside of the vault. A six foot menorah is hoisted
through the hole.
9. The workman walks down a different street.
10. The inside of an old antique and curiosity shop.
Fantastic fittings. In the background an old gothic armoury,
a big table in the centre -on the walls - bronzes - weapons
- statues - buddhas - hanging from the ceiling - blowfish -
a swordfish - oriental hangings and other strange objects.
Next to the armoury a chest. Old Aaron, wearing horn-rimmed
spectacles, is hunched over the books - computing - writing
- taking notes. Suddenly he looks towards the door. He gets
up, walks to the flap in the door, opens it. He listens to
the report of the workman standing outside, then closes the
flap - puts on his coat, walks to the door leading to the
next room - listens.
Title: The Jew's young daughter
11. The daughter's room. The Jew enters, reprimands his
daughter for her casual dress, tells her he has to go, warns
her, leaves again.
12. Outside the door to the daughter's room. The Jew locks
it carefully, lingers for a while to listen.
13. The antique shop. The Jew enters, takes his hat, leaves
with the workman.
14. Outside the shop. They step outside, the Jew closes the
door, the workman points in the direction he came from, they
leave. The daughter appears in the bay window.
15. Door to the daughter's room. The daughter is at the
window, looking at her father leaving. Walks to the door,
finds it locked. Pulls out a letter, reads it with a
blissful smile. Letter appears.
Title: Sweetheart. As soon as the old man has left, give me
the usual sign, my servant is waiting across the road.
16. Bay window from the outside. The window opens. The
daughter appears in the window, puts a vase with flowers on
the windowsill.
17. The inside of an inn. A manservant is sitting at a table
by the window, drinking a beer and smoking. Every now and
then he peers out of the window. Suddenly he gets up, pays
in a hurry and rushes out.
18. Outside the Jew's house - At the upper window the girl's
head, underneath the manservant, talking to her. On a string
she lowers a little basket with a letter. The servant puts
another letter inside, the basket is pulled up again. The
manservant leaves.
Title: At the well site
19. Various things are standing around. The golem is hoisted
upon a ladder.
20. On a cart pulled by a nag the treasures from the vault
are covered by a tarpaulin, with only the head of the figure
protruding at the back. The Jew and the workmen walk
alongside the cart.
21. The antique shop. The things are spread out partly on
the table, partly on the floor, the clay figure is propped
up carelessly against a wall, its back to the audience. The
Jew is haggling with the workmen for the treasure. The gold
and silver things are tested etc. One of the men, the same
one that had wiped the cobwebs off the figure's face earlier
on, turns the figure around and looks at it, smiling and
shaking his head. As he turns the figure around, something
drops down from it. It is a small round capsule. The man
picks it up, does not quite know where it has dropped from
and places it carelessly on the table next to the other
things. In the meantime the others have come to an agreement
with the Jews, the Jew pays them. One of them points at the
figure. The Jew indicates that it is of no use. Then,
smiling, he pays a gold piece for it. The workmen leave. The
Jew, alone with the treasure, examines them again with a
smile on his face, puts the most valuable items into a
little chest that he fetches, examines the heavy altar cloth
carefully between two fingers, a smile crosses his face..
Title: This is something for my daughter
He drapes the blanket over his arm, leaves smiling through
the back door.
22. The daughter is sitting in her room holding her lover's
letter and a picture which she kisses. In front of her there
is a big embroidering frame. She hears noises from the door,
hides the picture and begins to embroider briskly. The Jew
enters smiling, shows her the cloth, which she admires, she
drapes it over herself in front of the mirror, takes a few
dance steps, her father mock-threatens her with a raised
finger, but remains cheerful.
Title: Come downstairs with me, I have more.
23. The antique shop. Father and daughter enter. The old man
shows her the other treasures. Daughter claps her hands in
joyful wonder. Now she notices the giant clay figure still
propped up against the wall. At first she is almost
frightened, then she laughs exuberantly and boxes its nose.
Exuberant joy, the old man shows new treasures, she grabs
the old man and whirls him around the shop.
24. A humble attic room. A low dormer window. An old table,
a rickety worn wicker chair, stacks of manuscripts
everywhere, a number of books, some old folios among them,
strewn around. A spooky man with wild hair, burning eyes and
sallow cheeks is writing in feverish haste. A filled page is
tossed away, another one started. Suddenly he pauses
wearily, one can see how he almost collapses. Pangs of
hunger. He opens the desk drawer, takes out a hunk of dry
bread, chews mechanically, lost in thought, staring in font
of him. Suddenly he goes on writing like one possessed.
Collapses again. Gestures of despair.
Title: In order to complete his revolutionary new tome on
the black arts and witchcraft in the middle ages, the
starving scholar has to sell some of his beloved books.
He rises with a sigh, checks and chooses some volumes, puts
an especially ancient folio on his knees. Opens it, peers
inside longingly and deep in thought.
25. The whole screen is taken up by the book and the
scholar's hand. A page full of crowded gothic letters. The
hand turns the page, we see an image of the clay figure we
know from the antique shop. Underneath it reads in big
letters
T H E G O L E M
On the page opposite we read:
Title: In medieval Prague there lived the famous Rabbi Loew.
He was a master of the black arts and the Cabbala, which
made him famous the world over. He succeeded in bringing to
life a strange clay figure, the "golem", by placing a
peculiar spell, the "schenn" into a cavity in its chest. As
long as the "golem" bore this spell, he was as a living man,
obedient to his master's will, until the moment when the
master removed the "schenn" from his chest. Then he became
nothing more than dead clay. When, in his dotage, Rabbi Loew
renounced the black arts, he also no longer brought the
golem to life. In the ravages of the thirty-year-war the
golem was lost together with other treasures of this great
scholar. Maybe it lies buried somewhere to this day.
26. The scholar's attic room. The scholar nods painfully.
Gets up, takes his old coat and hat, grabs three or four
books, the folio among them, hesitates for a moment, leaves
with a sigh.
27. The scholar walks down a moonlit street, a bridge,
running water. Wearily and lost in thought he leans against
the railing for a moment.
28. The antique shop. The lamp above the table casts a sharp
circle of light. The old Jew is sitting at the table wearing
his glasses, entering the newly acquired treasures carefully
into a big ledger.
29. In front of the house. The scholar with the books checks
the sign, nods, pulls the bell tentatively. The flap opens,
the Jew's head appears. The scholar shows him the books and
asks to be let in. At first the Jew shakes his head, then he
motions for him to come inside.
30. The antique shop. Shyly the scholar enters, places the
books in the circle of light on the table, offers them up
for sale. The Jew makes a disparaging gesture. The scholar
opens the first book to show it to the Jew. The Jew shakes
his head. Now the scholar points at the big folio. The Jew
casts half a glance at it. Now he opens the book at the page
with the image of the golem. The Jew hesitates for a moment,
an almost shocked delight crosses his face, then he checks
himself and coolly asks for the price. The deal is swiftly
concluded, the scholar gets his money, leaves shyly thanking
the Jew. The Jew closes the door after him. Walks to the
table in a state of excitement, opens the book, pushes back
the table, gets the golem.
31. Again we only see a close-up of the page of the book.
The Jew's shaking hand. The hand turns the page, on the next
page we see an illustration showing the capsule and
lengthwise across the page a strip of parchment with Arabic
numerals. Underneath it the following text:
Title: Tradition has it that this is the spell used by Rabbi
Loew to bring the golem to life. Rolled up inside the
capsule it effected the magic of life.
32. In a state of extreme agitation the Jew examines the
golem, finds the hollow place in its chest, seems to
remember having seen a similar capsule. Rushes into the
background, fetches a small ebony chest he has locked some
of the treasures in, roots around in it frantically, he
finds the capsule.
33. Hands and capsule in extreme close-up. He opens the
capsule with shaking hands. The capsule is empty.
34. He spots the strip bearing the spell in the book, has a
new idea. Fetches a knife, begins to cut out the strip.
35. We see him cutting in a close-up. The strip is cut from
the book. The hands roll up the strip, enclose it inside the
capsule.
36. The Jew is standing in front of the golem, his hands
shaking with excitement. He hesitates, wondering whether to
risk the daring experiment. Finally he inserts the capsule
into the figure with shaking hands. Stares at the face. The
two heads in the lamplight. The golem does not move. The Jew
smiles, shakes his head. Lifts the lamp up to look into the
golem's face. At this moment golem slowly opens his eyes
wide! Jew jerks back in shock. Golem very slowly turns his
head to follow the light, like a child. Jew retreats
appalled. Golem follows him, with heavy, mechanical steps,
staring at the light all the time. The Jew backwards to the
next piece of furniture, staring at the hulk. Golem closes
in on him. Jew holds out the light, gets down on his knees
and steals behind the golem. Golem very slowly, like a
child, grabs the light, which is extinguished. Jew has got
to his other side. Golem turns around, notices him for the
first time, moves towards him with heavy steps. Jew has
collapsed in an armchair. Golem closer all the time. Jew
cries out.
Title: Get back!
Golem moves back like a colossal machine. The Jew's tension
eases.
Title: Come here!
Golem takes some steps forward.
Text: Stop!
Golem stops. The Jew realizes he has power over this
creature, he gets up, examines him closely. We see him give
various orders, like "Lift your arm", "At ease", which golem
carries out calmly.
37. Finally the golem lifts with ease a substantial bronze
sculpture that the Jew had unsuccessfully tried to shift in
an earlier scene. Jew is shocked, orders him to set the
sculpture down. Golem drops the sculpture. It shatters. Jew
is awed and satisfied.
Title: He is to be my servant.
Motions to the golem to follow him. Walks to the back door.
38. A narrow passage. Jew casting fearful glances backwards.
Very big behind hi, automatically golem. An iron door in the
passage. Jew opens the door.
39. A low vaulted room with a massive forge. . Side lit
through the open door. Jew goes to the giant bellows, pulls
on the chain with all his might, pulls it down once with
difficulty. The fire flares up once. He orders the golem to
do likewise. Golem walks over to the bellows, pulls the
chain several times with playful ease, the fire flares up to
the rafters. Jew shocked, fearing a blaze, steps behind the
golem, pulls the schenn from his chest. Golem collapses
against the wall like some dead thing. The flames subside.
Title: End of act one.
Title: Act II
Title: Guardian of the home
1. The young nobleman's estate. Nobleman out hunting.
Ghillie, two guns, landscape - lovely picture. A saddled
horse, the servant from the first act comes running and
hands over a letter. Count abandons hunt, joyfully takes
letter, opens it, letter appears.
Title: Dearest one! The old man is out on business. Come to
me this afternoon.
The count thinks the matter over for a moment, gives orders,
mounts his horse, rides off.
2. Castle gate. Maybe gate at park entrance. Elegant coach
stops. Count in new attire gets in. Coachman sets off.
3. The antique shop without the golem. The Jew sits at the
table, deep in thought, weary and with a cold compress
around his head. Daughter enters, asks if he will not go out
today. The old man shakes his head. Daughter becomes
restless. She leaves.
4. A square in town. The count's coach arrives, stops. Count
jumps out, motions to the coachman to wait, leaves.
5. Street outside the antique shop. From the upper storey
the daughter's head peers out. Count comes down the street.
Sees her at the window. She indicates to him that the old
man is at home.
Title: Come as a customer, that way we can see each other.
Count nods.
6. Antique shop. The doorbell rings. The old man goes to the
door and opens it. The count enters. The Jew greets him
submissively. The count poses as a potential buyer, takes a
look at various objects, all the while peering at the back
door. The daughter enters. Pretends to be startled, as if
she were about to withdraw. The old man tells her to stay.
Game. The two communicate behind the old man's back.
The old man notices a less than careful gesture, he becomes
suspicious, does not show it, however, but watches them in
secret. Count secretly hands the daughter a slip of paper,
which she hides in her bosom. The old man sees it, is about
fly in a rage but checks himself. Game. The count has bought
a few things. Pays and leaves. The old man turns to the
daughter, reproaches her, demands she hand over the slip of
paper. Daughter refuses, the old man gets furious, grabs the
daughter, daughter eludes him, escapes through the back door
up the spiral staircase.
7. The daughter's room. She rushes in. Jew behind her.
Title: Give me the letter!
He wrestles with her. She on her knees. Jew beside himself,
drags her in front of the mother's picture.
Title: You are like her, she cheated on me, too!
Daughter crying. Jew calms down. A thought strikes him. He
grabs the daughter's arm, yanks her to her feet.
Title: I will give you a guardian.
He drags her out.
8. Room of the forge. Golem stands at the anvil, hammer in
hand, forging a piece of metal. Door opens. Jew and daughter
enter. Daughter terribly frightened. Jew's derision. Orders
golem to stop working. Motions to golem to follow.
Title: You are her guardian, she must not leave this room.
Golem nods. Jew puts on coat, leaves. Golem stands in front
of the door, legs wide apart. Daughter trembles. At last she
fearfully approaches the golem, pleads with him to leave.
The answer is an apathetic shaking of the head, she tries to
steal past him, a powerful gesture of the golem prevents it.
Title: Inescapably imprisoned.
She cries like a child, sulks moodily, sits down at the
table, calms down, remembers the slip of paper, retrieves it
from her bosom, reads.
Title: Dearest one! What a shame I cannot talk to you. My
servant informs me that the old man has to go out on
business tonight. Come secretly to a masked ball at my
estate. How glad I will be to finally, finally have you with
me. My servant will bring you a costume.
The daughter cries, drops the slip in despair and wipes away
the tears.
10. In a fancy dress shop. The count carefully picks a
costume. Servant shows them to him. Has it wrapped, hands it
to the servant and instructs him.
11. Jew on the road. Walks down a long turnpike carrying a
bundle of things.
Title: She is well-guarded.
12. Servant outside the antique shop, looks for the sign,
finds the shop, rings the bell; knocks, nobody appears. He
shakes his head, rings more vigorously, suddenly the flap
slowly opens, the golem's big head appears in the frame.
Servant panics. Behind the golem we see the daughter's face,
she gestures to the servant to come in.
13. The antique shop. The door opens, the servant with the
parcel sidles in. The daughter immediately grabs the parcel
from him. Golem wants to ask the servant. Exuberantly clumsy
gestures of golem, servant comically petrified. The servant
wants out again. Golem blocks the door. The daughter
gestures to him to escape through her door. Servant jumps
across the table past the baffled golem to the back door.
Servant out the window.
14. At the foot of the spiral staircase. Petrified servant
has half climbed the banisters of the stairs. Golem tries to
follow him, he has difficulty mastering the unwonted task of
climbing the stairs, he sways and leans against the wall for
a while, unsure what to do. The servant takes advantage of
this moment to slide down the banister at great speed past
the golem.
15. The antique shop. The daughter, with her back to the
audience, excitedly watches what is going on at the back
door. Servant rushes past her out of the front door in
comical haste, door stays open. Golem follows him to the
door with heavy steps. Daughter takes advantage of the
moment to slip past the golem's back up the stairs.
16. Outside the antique shop. The golem appears at the door,
glaring stolidly up the street. A thought strikes him, I
mustn't leave the room. He turns back to the antique shop.
17. Street. The servant running as if the devil were
pursuing him.
18. The daughter's room. The daughter is standing in front
of the mirror, only half-dressed, trying on the costume.
Suddenly she listens at the door, startled. The door begins
to shake. She retreats in shock. The door caves in, falls
into the room. Golem appears in the doorframe. Looks around,
sees the daughter in the window alcove, goes towards her,
motions to her to leave the room. Daughter shakes her head,
cowers even more. Golem closes in on her, above her.
Daughter frightened. Suddenly he yanks her up by both wrists
as if she were a doll and walks to the door with her.
Daughter as if paralysed by fear in his arms, looks up at
him, tries to appease him, pleads.
19. The antique shop. Golem appears striding slowly through
the back door, the half-naked girl in his arms. Her
expression is more confident, a little playful. She strokes
golem's cheeks, he does not react yet. He carries her to the
table. She moves her head close to his face. Golem flares
his nostrils like a stallion. His expression becomes one of
drunken ecstasy. She slyly notices that. Now she moves her
mouth closer to his and kisses him. Golem slides her onto
the table and buries his bulky head in her lap as if in a
sudden fit of rage. She is almost shocked, pushes him back.
Golem bends over her, tries to lie on top of her, she jams
her arm against his chest to ward him off. Without realizing
she grabs the schenn. The schenn drops out of golem's chest,
rolls across the table and falls to the ground. Golem
tumbling -
Title: End of act two.
Title: Act three
Title: Golem's nocturnal walk.
1. The count's castle. Preparations for the ball. Servants
put up bunting in the ballroom. Count directs.
2. The antique shop. Golem lies lifeless in the centre of
the room. The daughter sits on his chest, arranges her hair
in front of a mirror placed on the ground. Gets up, mocks
golem, boxes his nose, fondles him, finishes putting on the
costume, steps across golem and walks out.
3. On the turnpike. The old man is sitting on a rock. Has
dropped his knapsack, is eating a hunk of kosher sausage,
accompanied by a schnapps, smiles to himself.
Title: She is well-guarded.
4. The scholar's garret. He is kneeling in the room, sorting
manuscripts, going through papers, fixed stare, swaying,
spasms of hunger. Grabs his last book, rushes out.
5. Outside the antique shop. The scholar arrives in a
stumbling run, rings the bell, nobody opens. He goes to the
flap, opens it, looks in. Jolts back, is dumbstruck like a
madman. Checks himself, opens the door. Enters.
6. Antique shop. Golem lies lifeless. Scholar enters, sees
golem, helpless wonder. He bends over him, feels him, laughs
madly, examines the opening in the chest, suddenly notices
the capsule, picks it up, thoughts racing. Places the
capsule in the golem's chest. Golem faster than expected,
jumps to his feet. Only one thought drives him: Where is the
wench? Pushes the scholar aside like an object, he falls
against the wall. Golem stares around, walks out the door.
The scholar tries to stop him. Golem throws him into the
forge room.
7. A flower stall. Moonlight. The daughter stands in front
of it. Buys flowers, asks for a mirror, puts them in her
hair, checks her looks. Puts flowers in her bosom, pays,
walks on, a flower between her teeth.
8. Title: Golem's serenade.
Golem walks down an old street, there is light in a window,
he stares up for a moment.
9. Golem walks across a small square in the town. At the
corner the streets cross. Golem stops for a moment. Walks
on. Golem at a park gate. Goes inside. Walks up a tree-lined
path. A dog jumps up at him. Silent wonder.
10 Golem at a rose bush or such like. Awakening feeling for
nature.
11. Golem silhouetted against the sky. Spreads his arms and
looks up at the stars.
12. A quiet pond, behind it a tree-lined path. Moonlight and
night air. Golem arrives. Walks up to the water, looks at
the reflections with wonder, steps into the water, it
splashes, smiles. He goes in more and more deeply, so that
the water rises to his chest. Lifts up some water in the
palm of his hand, lets it run through his fingers. Suddenly
the daughter appears, striding down the path. Golem looks
up. Surprised. Daughter disappears. Recollection hits him,
suddenly he rushes after her like a hippopotamus through the
splashing water.
13. Outside the castle. The daughter arrives. Sneaks in
through a back door.
14. Outside the antique shop. The old man returns, goes up
to the door, is surprised to find it open. Halts, makes a
face. Enters.
15. The antique shop. The scholar, who has gone mad, is
squatting in the centre of the room. The old man enters.
Shock, runs out the backdoor looking for daughter, returns
in shock, at his wit's end. Asks the scholar. He can only
stammer gibberish and make mute gestures, points to the
door. The old man begins to understand. Notices the
balled-up letter on the floor. Grabs it and reads. Shock,
rushes out.
16. Jew rushes down the street, arrives at the square at the
street corner, runs down the street the golem took before.
17. Golem outside the castle, looking up longingly.
Beautiful image.
Title: End of act three
Title: Act four
Title: The ball at the castle
1. Small scene from the masquerade at the castle. Arbour
with drinking men and women in fantastic costumes.
2. Niche in the conservatory, couples kissing under
blossoming flowers, all masked.
3. passage from the kitchen to the ballroom. servants
swiftly walking with roasts, champagne, fruit.
4. View of the ballroom from the terrace, silhouetted behind
a great mirror couples are dancing a minuet.
5. Terrace adjoining the main ballroom. The count in costume
steps out of the ballroom with the daughter. Marble bench at
the balustrade of the terrace. Moonlight. He pulls her
towards him. Embraces, kisses, vows of love, on his knees in
front of her. She, transported, strokes his hair. Suddenly
she hears a noise behind her, below the terrace. Alerts him
to something approaching.
6. Golem standing in the garden below, leaning on a statue,
looking up at the couple.
7. Both look down. She cries out, pulls him back. At the
back the balustrade is interrupted to indicate this is where
the stairs come up. Golem slowly striding up the stairs. He
steps into thje foreground, looks quizzically at the masked
daughter. She has got up, so that they are silhouetted
against the sky. Golem, as if in a dream, walks towards the
daughter. The count tries to intercept him. Daughter stops
him, pulls him by the arm along with her towards the
ballroom. They open the door in order to get in.
8. The ballroom. Orchestra playing on a raised stage.
Dancing couples. Confetti. Streamers. Couple rushes in.
Closes the door behind themselves. Daughter pulls down her
mask, shouts into the room
Title: "Run away, a demon is coming!"
Golem's silhouette appears in the glass door. Music stops.
Melee of people. Everybody runs to the door to see the
mysterious stranger. Paralysed with shock. Retreating. Some
already fleeing. - Golem presses his face to the glass.,
puts his hands on it, grins into the room. Suddenly he
shakes the door. It does not yield. He simply walks in right
through the door, leisurely and smiling, not heeding the
breaking glass and frame that are falling into the room.
Terrible panic. The count draws his pistol, fires at the
golem. The golem strolls on smiling. The servant rushes
forward, rams a dagger into golem's chest. The dagger
remains stuck in the golem. Golem strolls on smiling.
Couples escape down the stairs. Golem follows them.
9. Park: Another exit of the castle. Fleeing people rush out
from the lit door. Different groups.
10. A tree lined side path with fleeing people.
11. Park railings. Fleeing masked people climbing over them.
12. A low tree-covered path leading to an outbuilding. Count
with daughter fleeing frantically, exhausted rest, fearful
looks back. He points to where they should go. . They start
to run there. Golem appears in clumsy haste, pursuing them.
13. A small round tower. Ivy-covered. Count and daughter
arrive. He opens door with key from his pocket. Slams the
door shut behind him. Golem arrives, moves up to door.
14. Platform of the tower. View of the tops of the trees in
the park. At the side near the front an arched opening to
the spiral staircase. Count and daughter appear, sink down
at the battlements, exhausted. She puts her head on his
chest, he embraces her and soothes her. Suddenly their faces
contorts in fear, they hear the bursting of the door and the
golem's heavy steps. They retreat to the furthest
battlements, huddling together.
Title: Expecting the terrible one.
Golem's giant head appears from below, he looks around
quizzically, sees the group. A childish smile on his face he
keeps slowly mounting and approaches the terrified couple.
Count steps in front of the girl to protect her. Golem moves
on a step. The girl motions to the count to let her talk to
golem. Smiling she walks past the count towards the golem.
Hand and eye aim for the schenn. Golem opens his arms as if
to lift her. Tries to embrace her. Count misunderstands the
gesture, thinks his love is in danger, rushes at golem.
Golem's docile expression changes to rage. He grabs the
count, lifts him up, walks over with him to the edge of the
tower, desperate struggle. Greatest danger. Resistance. At
the last moment the girl manages to pull the schenn out of
the golem's chest. With eyes closed golem stands at the edge
of the tower for a moment, then he tumbles and falls down.
At this moment the old Jew's head appears above the
platform. He sees the couple, rushes for his daughter.
Daughter on her knees before him, points down.
15. At the foot of the tower lies the golem's shattered
figure.
16. Platform of the tower. The silhouettes of people bending
over the edge. They look up in shock. The girl sinks into
the count's arms, the count offers his hand to the Jew. Jew
hesitatingly shakes it and blesses the couple. Group.
Title: Nature always works profoundly, inside and out. And
all things live in death, and dead they are alive.
(Angelus Silesius)
Final image.
Title: In later days
Neglected park, ivy-covered, rocks overgrown with weeds and
bluebells. Birds flying, a child appears, playing. Sits down
next to one of the rocks. Nudges it while playing. Pushes
away the ivy, the golem's head appears. The child is
frightened, runs away. In the distance we see the count and
the girl as a married couple.
Title: Mother, look at the strange head.
Pulls the mother over by the hand. The father follows.
Quietly moved they regard the golem's head . The child
kneels in the grass in front of the head. The image fades
out slowly.
Title: The end.