Reviews of silent film releases on home video. Copyright © 1999-2024 by Carl Bennett and the Silent Era Company. All Rights Reserved.

The Last Command (1928)

This superb film was directed by Josef von Sternberg and stars Emil Jannings, Evelyn Brent and William Powell, with Jack Raymond, Nicholas Soussanin, Michael Visaroff and Fritz Feld.

It’s 1928 in Hollywood and an emigré Russian film director (Powell) is casting his next picture, a war drama. Not happy with his options, he happens upon the photo of an old man with a white beard (Jannings). Obviously taken with the picture, he instructs that the actor report to the studio the next day and be fitted with a general’s uniform.

After a trying bout with cattle-call extras, we learn that the old actor has brought with him a medal he says was given to him by the Czar himself. Next, we flashback to 1917 Russia and witness an entirely different man as the old actor is revealed to be a high-ranking general in the Czar’s army. From a window, Lev Andreyev (the film director, in 1917, a revolutionist posing as a stage director) and Natalie Dabrova (Brent), spy upon the general, vowing that his days are numbered. However, the couple are arrested and brought before the general for interrogation. Arrogantly sure of himself, the general imprisons the director and takes a shine to the woman he knows to be a revolutionary leader.

Now a kept woman, Dabrova is courted by the general and begins to see into his heart. Confused but determined to continue her freedom-fighting work, she plans to assassinate the general but is overcome by her new feelings for him.

The revolutionists make their move and attack a train on which the general is travelling. In the face of overwhelming numbers, the people around him turn on the general including Dabrova, who seizes the opportunity to spur on the revolution. Humiliated by the unbelieveable and massive betrayal of his lover, the general goes into debilitating shock. Chaos ensues.

In a twist of fate, the general is given the means to escape retribution. Having been freed from prison, Andreyev escapes to America. Back to the present day, Andreyev is face-to-face with the general on his set. The tables are turned, from the military advantage the general once had over the revolutionary to the economic advantage the film director now holds over him. While filming a military scene, the general is caught up in the moment — flooded with the torturing memories of his Russian defeat — and collapses having given his last command.

Confidently directed and exquisitely paced, Sternberg utilizes a number of interesting camera angles and tracking shots to tell his story. Brent is her usual chilly self and Powell fills his role with intensity. This film is another reason why 1928 was the greatest year of silent film achievement. It is highly recommended.

— Carl Bennett