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3.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 3.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Legend of William Tell remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-school historical epics and don't mind when a movie feels like it’s lecturing you, then sure, go for it. People who prefer their action scenes to actually contain, you know, action will probably hate it. It’s slow. Like, 'watch the grass grow' slow in some parts.
The whole thing feels very stiff. It’s based on the Schiller play, and you can really tell. Everyone speaks like they’re reciting lines in a drafty theater hall rather than living in 14th-century Switzerland. Conrad Veidt is in this, and he’s doing his best, but the movie often feels weighed down by its own sense of self-importance.
I found myself drifting off during the long speeches about tyranny. I kept thinking about how much more fun Don Q Son of Zorro is, even with all its own dated quirks. At least Zorro knew how to keep the pace moving.
There’s a weird intensity to the performances that feels almost exhausting to watch. Every single person on screen is acting with their entire soul, which is admirable but also kind of grating after an hour. I wanted someone to just take a breath. Just one normal conversation, please? 🍎
It’s not a complete waste, but it’s definitely a product of its time. You can feel the heavy hand of the production trying to make this look like high art. It misses the mark on being 'art' and lands somewhere around 'very long history lecture.'
Don't expect it to be a light watch. If you go in looking for a popcorn movie, you're going to be disappointed. If you're a fan of old German cinema and you've got a couple of hours to kill, it's an interesting curiosity. Otherwise, maybe skip it.