PANDORA'S BOX

As a study of amoral eroticism and sex, G W Pabst's silent masterpiece is second to none. An adaptation of two plays by German playwright Frank Wedekind, Pandora's Box deals with the tale of Lulu, high-class prostitute and mistress of a well-known local businessman. Lulu's insatiable sexual desires and disregard for traditional morality results in a string of death, envy, greed and despair, culminating in her own death at the hands of Jack the Ripper. Scandalous at the time, the tale is still powerful, and as a comment on the decay of German society at the end of the 1920s it is very strong indeed.

What makes Pandora's Box even more notable however is its main star. Lulu is played by silent screen legend Louise Brooks, the beautiful and mesmeric star that defined the look of the era. With her trademark sleek black bob, slender neck and wicked/mischeivous smile, Brooks is the essence of feminine sexuality: immensely attractive, coy, alluring and - above all - dangerous. No-one in the film is immune to her charms: even the prosecution lawyer demanding her death is affected by her medusa-like gaze for a moment. Wrapping men and - in a notorious yet elegantly shot scene - women around her finger as though toying with some lesser species, Lulu uses those she meets for her own pleasure and satisfaction, leaving hollow shells of people behind in her wake. When her insatiable desires eventually cause her demise, it is seen as somehow fitting, the Ripper being some kind of dark avenging angel acknowledged by the funereal procession of the Salvation Army band that closes the film.

Pabst's direction is evocative and attractive, with deep dark shadows offset by pale skin and flowing white dresses. The sets - particularly those in Berlin - are hugely stylish and eye-catching, as are the costumes (especially the revue outfits that Lulu delights in dressing in). However, all this is overshadowed by the dazzling light that is Brooks and her sensual, unforgettable performance. Whether she is dancing with uncontrolled joy, smiling seductively at her latest prey, or pausing in a moment of quiet reflection, her portrayal never lapses into melodrama or cariacature. By the end of the film, she has put so much into the character of Lulu that her death becomes something intensely moving and sad, especially given the violence of its fashion. The final scenes of Pandora's Box are some of the most intense and erotic ever filmed, as we see Lulu unwittingly invite her killer into her room, embracing him as she embraces her end.

Silent films have a delicate artistry and haunting mood all their own, and Pandora's Box is one of the best. A truly beautiful film, its combination of artful direction, provocative plot and memorable performances makes it a classic, reinforced even more so by the presence of the immortal Louise Brooks.

A masterpiece. 10/10