Ludwig der Zweite (1922) Review: A Royal Silent Drama Worth a Look?

Okay, so a silent film from 1922 about a Bavarian king. Ludwig der Zweite, König von Bayern isn't exactly a Saturday night popcorn flick for everyone. But if you’re into film history, or just curious about how they told grand stories a century ago, it’s worth a look. Modern viewers looking for fast pacing or subtle performances? You’ll probably bounce right off it. It's an interesting window, though. 🕰️

This one picks up where an earlier film left off, diving deeper into Ludwig II's later, more troubled years. He’s the 'Mad King' character, spending money on castles instead of, you know, government stuff. The film really tries to show his inner world, even without sound.

The acting style is what you expect. Lots of big hand movements. Very dramatic looks to the ceiling. It’s not subtle, but it gets the point across when the intertitles flash up.

Speaking of intertitles, they carry a lot of the story's weight. Some are just facts, others are almost poetic, trying to explain Ludwig's state of mind. They really want you to feel for him.

Visually, the film has its moments. The palace sets are pretty impressive. You can see the ambition, even if the budget might have been tight in places. One shot of him alone in a huge hall really stuck with me. Just him, looking quite lost.

Ludwig, played by Eugen Burg, makes Ludwig feel really isolated. Surrounded by people, but totally alone in his head. You feel that disconnect.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Ludwig der Zweite, König von Bayern (1930) through its definitive frames.

There’s this one scene where his ministers are all gathered, looking very stern. And he just doesn't want to deal with it. The way he turns away, almost childlike. It’s a good little beat.

The pacing can be a bit… stately. Things unfold slowly. You have to adjust to it. It’s not always a bad thing, gives you time to really look at the frames.

And Max Schreck! He's in there somewhere, a smaller role. It's wild to think the guy who played Nosferatu is just another face in the crowd here. Kind of a blink-and-you-miss-it thing, but a cool tidbit for film buffs. 🧛‍♂️

The story gets quite dark towards the end, as you might expect given Ludwig’s fate. The descent into perceived madness, the attempts to depose him. It’s heavy stuff.

One thing, the print I saw, it was a little rough in spots. But that's part of watching these old films, right? Adds to the charm, maybe.

So yeah, it’s a historical piece. A good look at early German cinema trying to tackle a complex figure. Don't go in expecting modern pacing, but do go in ready to see a king's sad story told with old-school flair. A quiet sort of drama. Not for everyone, but kinda neat if you give it a chance.