Directed by:
Josef von SternbergScreenplay:
Jules FurthmanCinematography:
Harold RossonCast:
George Bancroft, Betty Compson, Olga Baclanova, Clyde Cook, Mitchell Lewis, Gustav von Seyffertitz, May Foster, Richard Alexander, Bob Reeves, George Irving (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Roughneck stoker Bill Roberts (George Bancroft) gets into all sorts of trouble during a brief shore leave when he falls hard for Mae (Betty Compson), a wise and weary dance-hall girl, in Josef von Sternberg’s evocative portrait of lower-class waterfront folk. Fog-enshrouded cinematography by Harold Rosson (The Wizard of Oz), expressionist set design by Hans Dreier (Sunset Boulevard), and sensual performances by Bancroft and Compson make this one of the legendary director’s finest works, and one of the most exquisitely crafted films of its era. (Criterion)
(more)Reviews (1)
A lovely romance portrayed by two great actors and one excellent director. There are some great shots, especially of the docks. The camera captures places and their atmosphere wonderfully, but overall, I can't help but feel the film isn't that groundbreaking in terms of filmmaking; rather, it's a solid piece of work that can still be enjoyed even after ninety years.
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