Name: Cagliostro Director: Richard Oswald Studio: Nero-Film AG Starring: Hans Stüwe, Renée Héribel, Alfred Abel, Ernst Stahl-Nachbaur, Olga Tschechowa Release Date: 1929 (Germany) Runtime: \~118 minutes Format: Black-and-white, silent film (restored versions available in HD/Web DL 1080) Country: Germany Language: Silent (German intertitles) Genres: | Historical | Drama | Biographical | Silent --- Summary: *Cagliostro* (1929) is a German silent historical drama directed by Richard Oswald, dramatizing the life and legend of the notorious 18th-century adventurer, occultist, and self-proclaimed healer Alessandro Cagliostro. The film follows his rise from obscure beginnings to fame as a mystical figure who courts nobility and manipulates those in power, before ultimately being condemned for fraud and heresy. Mixing spectacle with intrigue, the film reflects both fascination and suspicion toward mysticism and pseudo-science in a turbulent era. --- Background: Produced during the final years of Weimar cinema, *Cagliostro* was one of Richard Oswald’s major historical productions, showcasing his flair for large-scale sets, atmospheric direction, and interest in controversial figures. Oswald, known for tackling daring subjects in films like *Different from the Others* (1919) and *Lucrezia Borgia* (1922), used *Cagliostro* to explore themes of deception, charisma, and the public’s hunger for miracle-workers. The film was part of the Weimar trend of lavish historical dramas, with striking cinematography and elaborate period costumes. Restored versions of the film survive today, allowing modern audiences to experience it in high definition. --- Trivia: * Alfred Abel, famous for his role as Joh Fredersen in *Metropolis* (1927), appears in a supporting role. * Olga Tschechowa, one of Weimar cinema’s most glamorous stars, played a key role in broadening the film’s international appeal. * The film reflects contemporary anxieties in Germany about manipulation, cult figures, and the fragility of truth. * While originally a silent film, it was released during the transition to sound, and some screenings reportedly included live musical accompaniment tailored to the story’s mystical tone. --- Hashtags: \#Cagliostro1929 #RichardOswald #WeimarCinema #SilentFilm #HistoricalDrama #GermanCinema #OccultFilm #ClassicCinema