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The Patriot (1928 film)

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Wikipedia article




'The Patriot' is a 1928 semi-biographical film that was directed by Ernst Lubitsch and released by Paramount Pictures. While mainly a silent film, the film did have a synchronized soundtrack as well as some talking sequences. The movie is a biographical story of Emperor Paul I of Russia, starring Emil Jannings, Florence Vidor and Lewis Stone.

Plot



In 18th-century Russia, the Tsar, Paul, is surrounded by murderous plots and trusts only Count Pahlen. Pahlen wishes to protect his friend, the mad king, but because of the horror of the king's acts, he feels that he must remove him from the throne. Stefan, whipped by the tsar for not having the correct number of buttons on his gaiters, joins with the count in the plot. The crown prince is horrified by their plans and warns his father, who, having no love for his son, places him under arrest for his foolish accusations. Pahlen uses his mistress, the Countess Ostermann, to lure the tsar into the bedroom, where she tells him of the plot. The tsar summons Pahlen, who reassures him of his loyalty. Later that night the count and Stefan enter his bedroom, and presently the tsar is dead. But moments later Stefan turns a pistol on Pahlen. As the count lies dying on the floor, the countess appears and embraces Pahlen as he says, "I have been a bad friend and loverbut I have been a Patriot."

Cast



* Emil Jannings as Tsar Paul I

* Florence Vidor as Countess Ostermann

* Lewis Stone as Count Pahlen

* Vera Voronina as Mademoiselle Lapoukhine

* Neil Hamilton as Crown Prince Alexander

* Harry Cording as Stefan

Tullio Carminati and Carmencita Johnson appear uncredited in this movie.

Production



Writing

The film was written by Hanns Krly; it is an adaptation of two plays: 'Paul I' by Dmitry Merezhkovsky and 'The Patriot' by Ashley Dukes (based on the novel 'Der Patriot' by Alfred Neumann). The Dukes play was performed on Broadway in January 1928.[http://ibdb.com/production.php?id=10557 'The Patriot' by Ashley Dukes performed on Broadway January 1928, Majestic Theatre; IBDb.com] John Gielgud made his Broadway debut in that play.

Reception



Awards

It won the Academy Award for Best Writing and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Lewis Stone) and Best Art Direction. It was the only silent film nominated for Best Picture that year and the last until 'The Artist' won in 2011.

Remake



The film was remade in France in 1938 with the same title.

Preservation status



Only pieces of this film are left, including trailers. The UCLA Film and Television Archive is in possession of 2500 feet of footage (out of 10,000), and one reel was found in Portugal, but to date no complete copy has been located.[http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.mbrs.sfdb.8193/default.html The Library of Congress/FIAF American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog:'The Patriot'][https://web.archive.org/web/20141225003106/http://www.thegreatstars.com/lost_film_wanted.htm The Patriot at TheGreatStars.com; Lost Films Wanted](Wayback Machine)..Retrieved July 21, 2018

It is the only Best Picture Academy Award nominee for which no complete or near-complete copy has been found.

See also



*List of lost films

References




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