The Man Without Desire
Encyclopedia
The Man Without Desire is a 1923
British silent film
fantasy drama, directed by Adrian Brunel
and starring Ivor Novello
, who also co-produced the film along with Miles Mander
. The film was Brunel's feature-length directorial debut and has been described as "one of the stranger films to emerge from Britain in the 1920s". The film's theme of loss of sexual desire, and by implication impotence, was exceptionally frank for its time; oddly however, it appears to have been passed for release without interference by the British film censors, who at this period has a reputation for extreme zealousness where sexual matters in film were concerned.
. Feeling that this alone would not necessarily prove a draw for filmgoers, he came up with a story which had an 18th century core but was framed by a contemporary narrative. The film was given a budget of £5,000 which, while not lavish, allowed for travel to Venice to shoot location scenes. Studio filming and post-production took place in Berlin
, and film historians observe the influence on the finished product of the German expressionist
cinema of the era, notably the celebrated The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
.
) and loses all interest in life. Wishing to escape from his grief, he devises a method of putting himself in a state of suspended animation
. He awakens 200 years later in 1920s Venice where he meets Genevia, Leonora's double, who turns out to be a descendant of his former love. Falling immediately in love with Genevia, he proposes marriage which Genevia accepts. He then discovers that his 200-year slumber has left him with the ability to love but unable to experience passion, and the marriage remains unconsummated.
1923 in film
-Events:*April 15 - Lee De Forest demonstrates the Phonofilm sound-on-film system at the Rivoli Theater in New York with a series of short musical films featuring vaudeville performers.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1923:U.S.A...
British silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
fantasy drama, directed by Adrian Brunel
Adrian Brunel
Adrian Brunel was an English film director and screenwriter. Brunel's directorial career started in the silent era, and reached its peak in the latter half of the 1920s...
and starring Ivor Novello
Ivor Novello
David Ivor Davies , better known as Ivor Novello, was a Welsh composer, singer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. Born into a musical family, his first successes were as a songwriter...
, who also co-produced the film along with Miles Mander
Miles Mander
Miles Mander , born Lionel Henry Mander , was a well-known and versatile English character actor of the early Hollywood cinema, also a film director and producer, and a playwright and novelist.-Early life:Miles Mander was the second son of Theodore Mander, builder of Wightwick Manor, of the prominent...
. The film was Brunel's feature-length directorial debut and has been described as "one of the stranger films to emerge from Britain in the 1920s". The film's theme of loss of sexual desire, and by implication impotence, was exceptionally frank for its time; oddly however, it appears to have been passed for release without interference by the British film censors, who at this period has a reputation for extreme zealousness where sexual matters in film were concerned.
Production
Brunel's commission for the film was to write and produce a historical drama set in VeniceVenice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. Feeling that this alone would not necessarily prove a draw for filmgoers, he came up with a story which had an 18th century core but was framed by a contemporary narrative. The film was given a budget of £5,000 which, while not lavish, allowed for travel to Venice to shoot location scenes. Studio filming and post-production took place in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, and film historians observe the influence on the finished product of the German expressionist
German Expressionism
German Expressionism refers to a number of related creative movements beginning in Germany before the First World War that reached a peak in Berlin, during the 1920s...
cinema of the era, notably the celebrated The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a 1920 silent horror film directed by Robert Wiene from a screenplay by Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer. It is one of the most influential of German Expressionist films and is often considered one of the greatest horror movies of the silent era. This movie is cited as...
.
Plot
18th century Venetian Count Vittorio Dandolo (Novello) is devastated by the death of his lover Leonora (Nina VannaNina Vanna
Nina Yasikova Kind Hakim Provatoroff, known by her stage name of Nina Vanna , was a Russian-born British film actress who appeared in a number of films during the 1920s....
) and loses all interest in life. Wishing to escape from his grief, he devises a method of putting himself in a state of suspended animation
Suspended animation
Suspended animation is the slowing of life processes by external means without termination. Breathing, heartbeat, and other involuntary functions may still occur, but they can only be detected by artificial means. Extreme cold can be used to precipitate the slowing of an individual's functions; use...
. He awakens 200 years later in 1920s Venice where he meets Genevia, Leonora's double, who turns out to be a descendant of his former love. Falling immediately in love with Genevia, he proposes marriage which Genevia accepts. He then discovers that his 200-year slumber has left him with the ability to love but unable to experience passion, and the marriage remains unconsummated.
Cast
- Ivor NovelloIvor NovelloDavid Ivor Davies , better known as Ivor Novello, was a Welsh composer, singer and actor who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century. Born into a musical family, his first successes were as a songwriter...
as Count Vittorio Dandolo - Nina VannaNina VannaNina Yasikova Kind Hakim Provatoroff, known by her stage name of Nina Vanna , was a Russian-born British film actress who appeared in a number of films during the 1920s....
as Leonora / Genevia - Sergio Mari as Almoro / Gordi
- Christopher Walker as Roger / Mawdesley
- Jane Dryden as Luigia
- Dorothy Warren as Foscolina