Algol Sci-Fi, The Position of Algol, Astrology, Poster and Trailer

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ALGOL is a sci-fi morality tale from the Germans following WWI. It is much closer in style to CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI than to the impending works of Lang and Murnau. ALGOL has some interesting Expressionist tendencies, all aimed at the tragic life of the main character, Robert Werne, played by Emil Jannings.

The most interesting part of the film is it’s science fiction core. An alien from a far away star is beamed to earth and meets Robert Werne. It is very much in vein of the “selling your soul to the devil” films that were popular at this time - in fact, the star, Algol is called a ‘devil star’. The alien promises Werne an energy source that is far beyond his drudging work of shoveling coal. From this incredible secret, Werne becomes the most powerful man in the world - providing the world with the energy current it needs. Sort of like, say, the Bill Gates story. Unlike Gates, however, there is no happiness in the ends of these means. Read more …