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Plot

The Treasure (Der Schatz), G. W. Pabst's first film, wasn't released in the U.S. until 1929, six years after its completion. On the surface a straightforward tale of the search for a buried treasure, the film is a textbook example of German expressionism, with the passions of the protagonists conveyed as much through symbolism as action. Werner Krauss steals the first scene as a retarded assistant bellmaker who skulks through the proceedings as if weighed down by a multitude of horrible secrets. In fact, only the character played by Hans Brausewetter, that of a "journeyman artisan," is in any way likeable. Evidently Pabst got all of his expressionistic tendencies out of his system with The Treasure, opting for gritty realism in his subsequent efforts.
MPAA Rating:
Genre(s):
Drama
Run Time:
55min.
Distributor(s):
Film Arts Guild
Director(s):
Georg Wilhelm Pabst
Starring:
Albert Steinruck , Lucie Mannheim , Hans Brausewetter , Werner Krauss
Themes:
Treasure Hunts
Tone:
Goth,Stylized,Atmospheric
Keywords:
artist,danger,loot,robbery,search,servant,treasure