Description
KöRKARLEN – THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE – THE STROKE OF – 1921 – SILENT – RARE DVD
Directed by Victor Sjöström
Cast: Victor Sjöström … David Holm Hilda Borgström … Mrs. Holm Tore Svennberg … Georges Astrid Holm … Edit Concordia Selander … Edit’s Mother Lisa Lundholm … Maria Tor Weijden … Gustafsson Einar Axelsson … David’s Brother Olof Ås … Driver Nils Ahrén … Prison Chaplain Simon Lindstrand … David’s Companion Nils Elffors … David’s Companion Algot Gunnarsson … Worker Hildur Lithman … Worker’s wife John Ekman … Police constable
This disc includes the original Swedish edit: Körkarlen a.k.a. The Phantom Carriage and the Metro edit for America, released as The Stroke of Midnight. (each run 70 minutes) Based on Selma Lagerlof’s rendition of a Swedish folktale, this moody, surrealistic drama takes it’s title from Death’s favorite mode of transport, which must be driven by the last sinner to die before year’s end. Victor Sjöström both directed and stared in this film, fashioning a supernatural morality tale replete with atmospheric lighting and superimposition effects that were ahead of their time in 1920 and still chill today. He plays David Holm, a beliigerent drunkard who must contend with past misdeeds of pettiness and alcoholism as he gathers the souls of the dead. Will he roam the roads forever as a ghostly driver or achieve salvation beyond Death’s spectre? This suspenseful, visually arresting classic was shot by masterful cinematographer Julius Jaenzon.
