Sein bester Freund (1929): A German Shepherd Steals the Show, Silent Style 🐾

Alright, let’s get this out of the way first. If you're not already into really old silent films, the kind with intertitles and that slightly flickering, sometimes grainy look, then Sein bester Freund probably isn't going to be your grand introduction to the genre. But for those of us who appreciate a good, straightforward story about a dog, especially one from 1929, this one offers some pretty neat moments. You'll likely enjoy it if you have a soft spot for early cinema or animal dramas. If you need explosions and crisp dialogue, well, this isn't it, and that’s okay.

The whole setup here is charmingly simple: a detective wants to use a German Shepherd, Grief, for police work. The problem? Grief's previous owner is a crook. So, the film is essentially about winning over a dog's loyalty, which, when you think about it, is a pretty timeless premise. Even without sound, you get the gist immediately.

Grief, the dog, really is the absolute star of the show. You see him in those early scenes with the crook, and there's a genuine bond there. It’s actually quite sweet, the way the dog seems so devoted. Then, when the detective (played by Charly Berger) enters the picture, there's this obvious awkwardness. Grief just doesn't trust him, and why would he? It’s not like dogs can read intertitles explaining the situation. 😂

There's a good chunk of the film dedicated to the detective trying to train Grief. And it’s not always smooth. You get these little vignettes of him patiently trying to get the dog to respond to new commands, or *not* respond to the old ones. One scene sticks out: the detective trying to get Grief to ignore a specific whistle that used to call him to the crook. Grief's ears perk up, then he looks at the detective, clearly conflicted. You can almost feel the struggle going on in his doggy brain. It's subtle acting from the dog, which is impressive.

Harry Piel, who plays the crook, has this intense gaze. Sometimes it feels a little over-the-top, but it fits the silent film style where expressions had to carry so much. He’s definitely the archetypal villain of the era, but there's a moment or two where his attachment to Grief peeks through, and it humanizes him just a tiny bit, which is kinda important. It makes Grief's eventual switch feel more meaningful, too.

The intertitles, which, of course, tell you what's going on, are pretty straightforward. Sometimes they'll just pop up with a really blunt statement, and you just kinda accept it. It's part of the old film charm. The film's pacing isn't always perfect; there are a few stretches where the training feels a bit drawn out. Like, we get it, the dog is stubborn! But then it picks up again, usually when the crook reappears on screen.

One detail I found kinda neat was how the film uses the dog's senses. There's a whole sequence where Grief is tracking his former owner, relying on scent and memory. You have to buy into the idea that a dog's memory for a human, even a 'bad' human, is that strong, but for the sake of the story, you totally do. It’s effective, even if the actual 'chase' involves a lot of running through what looks like the same three backlots. 😅

The final confrontation, it’s all down to Grief. And it’s pretty effective. Without spoiling too much, the dog makes a choice, and it feels earned because you’ve seen all the effort the detective put in. It’s not flashy, not by a long shot, but it has a certain emotional weight. You're rooting for Grief, even if you feel a tiny bit bad for the crook who clearly loved his dog, in his own way.

Overall, Sein bester Freund is a solid watch if you're looking for a quiet, almost quaint, experience. It’s a good example of how much storytelling could be done with just visuals, some intertitles, and a very talented dog. It might not be a masterpiece, but it’s an honest, earnest film that shows the enduring appeal of a dog's loyalty. Plus, who doesn't love a German Shepherd playing detective? 🐶