Alte Gesetz, Das

Alternative title: Baruch Ancient Law, The
Synopsis: Feature film. In nineteenth-century Austria, a young Jew leaves the ghetto to become an actor. He eventually becomes famous and is reunited with his disapproving Rabbi father. Ernst Deutsch, as the Jew Baruch, plays in a modest production of Romeo and Juliet staged by a travelling company. The audience laughs at his Jewish appearance but his performance attracts the attention of the Archduchess Elisabeth Theresa. With her help he becomes a celebrated actor and acts the part of Hamlet (the opening and close of the play are shown), the scenes being intercut with scenes of his father conducting the Yom Kippur ceremonies.
Country: Germany
Medium: Film
Technical information: Black-and-white / Silent
Year of release: 1923
Notes: The copy held in the BFI National Archive has Swedish titles.
Keywords: Jews; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Travelling players

Director

Ewald André Dupont

Cinematographer

Theodor Sparkhuhl

Screenplay

Paul Reno

Production Design

Alfred Junge; Curt Kahle

Cast