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6.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Cagliostro - Liebe und Leben eines großen Abenteurers remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a free evening and don't mind reading some title cards, you should probably check out Cagliostro. It’s one of those big, chunky silent epics that feels like it cost a fortune to make back in 1929. 🎬
People who love huge costumes and dramatic staring contests will really dig this. If you’re the type who gets bored if something doesn't explode every ten minutes, you'll probably hate it though.
Hans Stüwe plays Cagliostro and he has this face that is just perfect for silent movies. His eyes are always wide open, like he’s trying to hypnotize the camera itself. 👁️
The movie is basically about this Italian guy who is a mix of a street magician and a fake doctor. He moves to France and starts climbing the social ladder by pretending he can see the future.
It’s funny because his 'magic' looks like stuff you’d see at a kid's birthday party today. But back then, the movie makes it look like he’s summoning demons or something.
There’s this one scene where he’s doing a medical trick and the lighting is just incredible. The shadows on the wall are way bigger than the people, making everything feel creepy and heavy.
I noticed a weird detail in the background of the court scenes. There is this one extra in a giant wig who looks like he is genuinely about to trip over his own feet. It’s a little distracting but also kind of charming.
The plot gets really messy once Marie Antoinette shows up. Cagliostro tells her she’s going to have a bad time, which, well, we all know how that ended for her. 🇫🇷
The movie isn't as fast-paced as something like Tight Shoes. It takes its sweet time letting you look at the sets.
I really liked the way the director used mirrors. There are a lot of shots where you see characters reflecting in glass, and it makes the whole thing feel like a dream. Or maybe a nightmare? 🌙
The actress playing the Queen, Suzanne Bianchetti, looks so tired in every scene. It actually works for the character because being the Queen of France seems exhausting.
One thing that bothered me was how long the dinner scene went on. It felt like they were just showing off how many candles they could afford to light. 🕯️
At one point, Cagliostro gets this look on his face that reminds me of the lead in Manden med Arret. Just pure, unhinged ambition.
The whole 'revenge' part of the movie is a bit confusing. He sets this big plan in motion, but it feels like he’s mostly just sabotaging himself the whole time.
I think the movie gets better once he stops being so successful and starts losing his mind. The acting gets even more over-the-top, which is what I’m here for. 🎭
It’s definitely more interesting to look at than A Night of Mystery. Even if the story is a bit of a maze.
There is a scene in a dungeon that looks so damp I felt like I needed a jacket just watching it. The production design guys really went all out on the grime.
I did find myself wondering how they kept those giant wigs on their heads. One lady has a hat that looks like a literal birdcage. It’s amazing.
The music in the version I saw was a bit loud, but it fit the vibe. It was very staccato and jumpy during the chase scenes.
It’s not quite as emotional as Have a Heart. It’s more of a spectacle than a tear-jerker.
I liked how the movie didn't try to make Cagliostro a hero. He’s kind of a jerk, honestly. But he’s an interesting jerk.
The way he treats his wife is pretty terrible. She just kind of follows him around looking worried, which is fair considering he’s trying to overthrow the government with card tricks.
Some of the editing is a bit jumpy. Like, one second he’s in a palace and the next he’s in a carriage, and I’m not sure how much time passed.
It reminds me of the weird energy in Le Cirque de la Mort. Just that late-silent-era feeling of 'we can do anything with a camera.'
The divination scene is the highlight. The way the smoke curls around his head makes him look like a villain from a comic book.
I wish the ending was a bit punchier. It sort of just... happens. But the journey there is so visually wild that I didn't mind too much.
If you like movies that feel like a fever dream about history, give this one a look. It’s way better than some of the boring stuff they make today. 🎥
Anyway, I’m glad I watched it. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s got style for days.
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