In spite of the technical originality that studs the works, and of the brilliance of Emil Jannings's acting, the film never carries the spectator away.

Full Review | Jun 24, 2022

Told without intertitles, but with extraordinarily advanced visual fluidity thanks to the technical innovations of the director's frequent cinematographer Karl Freund...

Full Review | Jan 8, 2022

Here is a marvelous picture -- marvelous in its simplicity, its economy of effect, its expressiveness and its dramatic power.

Full Review | Oct 7, 2021

[Jannings's] impersonation of, or rather his mingling with, the character of the old porter, is solid, various, touching to a degree one had not thought possible, and makes even the best moments of Charlie Chaplin seem little heavy and self-conscious.

Full Review | Sep 4, 2021

From Murnau's inventive visual storytelling to Jannings' wonderful performance, The Last Laugh is the perfect film to begin one's journey into the world of Weimar cinema.

Full Review | May 13, 2020

The Last Laugh has a Dickensian lovability.

Full Review | Apr 21, 2020

The Last Laugh is a progress: it is not parasitic on any novel or play, does not resemble any literary form at all. It contains one of the finest pieces of sustained character-acting yet seen.

Full Review | May 8, 2018

One of Murnau's classic silent films features a great performance from Emil Jannings, who three years later became the first Best Actor Oscar winner.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Jun 4, 2011

Karl Freund's ground-breaking and historically important cinematography can still take the breath away.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 27, 2009

The 1924 film in which F.W. Murnau freed his camera from its stationary tripod and took it on a flight of imagination and expression that changed the way movies were made.

Full Review | Apr 27, 2009

...can still pierce a hardened heart - especially these days, when demotions and layoffs have become a daily occurrence and the streets are full of forlorn former doormen.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 29, 2009

A Murnau silent classic featuring strong Emil Jannings performance.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 14, 2009

It ends with an unconvincing cop-out happy ending.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Oct 11, 2008

The Last Laugh can really best be understood as a horror story.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Sep 23, 2008

Walk a mile in my shoes

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Apr 1, 2008

Mme aprs plus de 80 ans, The Last Laugh demeure un film qui ne vieillit tout simplement pas.

Full Review | Original Score: 10/10 | Jul 4, 2007

Widely regarded as an expressionist masterpiece.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Aug 29, 2006

There are no titles in this film -- merely a few inserts to guide the viewer. And yet one is never in doubt as to the action of this admirable picture, which is a remarkable piece of direction, with exquisite lighting effects.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 25, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Sep 26, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 17, 2005