Nathan the Wise
Nathan the Wise is a 1922 German silent historical film directed by Manfred Noa and starring Fritz Greiner, Carl de Vogt and Lia Eibenschütz. It is based on the 1779 play Nathan the Wise by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. It was made by Bavaria Film at the Emelka Studios. The film provoked protests in Munich from far-right groups who felt it was too pro-Jewish.
Plot
One of the main works of the Age of Enlightenment, Lessing's play is a powerful plea for tolerance, humanity and freedom of opinion. Set in the age of the crusades, it deals with the relations between the three monotheistic religions. Characters include the historical figure of Sultan Saladin, and the Jewish merchant Nathan; the character of Nathan is based on Lessing's friend, the renowned philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. When the play was published in 1779, this was considered breaching a taboo.
More details
| author | Hans Kyser |
|---|---|
| contentLocation | Jerusalem |
| director | Manfred Noa |
| genre | drama historical |
| keywords | age of enlightenment historical figure moses mendelssohn |
| musicBy | Willy Schmidt-Gentner |
| producer | Erich Wagowski |
| productionCompany | Bavaria Film |
| publisher | Bavaria Film |