“Flesh and the Devil” is a classic 1926 American silent romantic drama directed by Clarence Brown. The film stars Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Lars Hanson, and Barbara Kent. It’s based on the novel “The Undying Past” by Hermann Sudermann and tells the story of two childhood friends, Leo and Ulrich, who grow up to become soldiers in Germany.

The narrative unfolds as Leo, portrayed by John Gilbert, becomes infatuated with Felicitas, played by Greta Garbo. Unbeknownst to Leo, Felicitas is married to a powerful count. When the count discovers their affair, he challenges Leo to a duel, which Leo wins, but as a result, he is sent to Africa for five years. Before leaving, Leo asks his friend Ulrich, played by Lars Hanson, to take care of Felicitas. However, during Leo’s absence, Ulrich falls in love with Felicitas and marries her, setting the stage for a dramatic love triangle upon Leo’s return.

The film is notable for its cinematography by William H. Daniels and its portrayal of intense emotions and moral dilemmas without the use of spoken dialogue. “Flesh and the Devil” was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. It remains a significant work in the history of cinema, both for its artistic qualities and for its early exploration of complex relationships.

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