The Eternal Jew (1934 film)
7.4 /10 1 Votes
Director Maurice Elvey Country United Kingdom | 7.2/10 IMDb Duration Language English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Release date 1934 (1934) Writer E. Temple Thurston (play), H. Fowler Mear | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Eternal Jew (also known as The Wandering Jew) is a 1934 British fantasy drama film produced by the Gaumont-Twickenham Film Studios. It is the story of a Jew (played by Conrad Veidt) who is forced to wander the Earth for centuries because he rebuffed Jesus while he was carrying his cross.
Contents
Other cast members included a very young Peggy Ashcroft, Francis L. Sullivan, and Felix Aylmer.
This story is based both on a long-standing legend and a play by E. Temple Thurston. Veteran British director Maurice Elvey brought years of experience with theatrical adaptations to the difficult task of filming a movie that spans centuries and strains credulity. Conrad Veidt stars as the Jew who urges Roman authorities to crucify Jesus and release Barabbas. As a punishment, he is condemned by God to wander the Earth for many centuries, enduring innumerable trials and tribulations on several continents.
Plot
The plot follows the titular characters epic journey. He is finally burnt at the stake by the Spanish Inquisition. As he burns, he is forgiven by God and finally allowed to die. The story bears a resemblance to the legend of the Flying Dutchman.
Portrayal of Jews
Unlike the antisemitic propaganda film produced by the Nazis in 1940, this film portrayed Jews in a favorable light as the victims of unjustified persecution throughout history, in the Spanish Inquisition, for example. The Nazi propaganda film, by contrast, was intended as violently anti-Semitic.
References
The Eternal Jew (1934 film) WikipediaThe Eternal Jew (1934 film) IMDb The Eternal Jew (1934 film) themoviedb.org