Watch The Blue Angel

The Blue Angel is a German film from 1930 that tells the story of Immanuel Rath (played by Emil Jannings), a strict schoolteacher in a small town who falls under the spell of a seductive cabaret performer named Lola Lola (Marlene Dietrich). The film is directed by Josef von Sternberg and is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of the silent era.

The movie is set in the fictional town of Kiepert in Germany, where Immanuel Rath is the tough and uncompromising teacher of a group of adolescent boys. When he discovers that some of his students have been sneaking into the local cabaret, The Blue Angel, he decides to investigate the club himself. Once at the club, he becomes entranced by Lola Lola, the sensual singer who performs there nightly.

Despite his initial attempts to resist her charms, Immanuel soon finds himself hopelessly in love with Lola. He begins to follow her around the city, attending her performances and showering her with gifts. Lola, however, is not interested in a serious relationship, and instead views Immanuel as a useful source of money and material possessions.

As Immanuel's obsession with Lola grows, he becomes increasingly isolated from the people around him. His colleagues and friends at the school notice his erratic behavior and start to gossip about him. Immanuel's attempts to win Lola's affection also backfire, as she begins to grow bored with him and seek other lovers.

The film's climax takes place on a fateful night at The Blue Angel, where Immanuel discovers Lola in an intimate embrace with another man. This revelation sends Immanuel spiraling into a dark and destructive emotional state, leading to a tragic and unforgettable ending.

The Blue Angel is notable for its groundbreaking use of sound design, blending live performances by Dietrich with sound effects and background music. The film also highlights the stark contrast between Immanuel's rigid, repressive lifestyle and Lola's freewheeling, hedonistic lifestyle. This conflict is further emphasized by the film's stark cinematography, which often plunges the characters into deep shadows and harsh lighting.

One of the film's standout performances comes from Marlene Dietrich, who would go on to become a major Hollywood star. Her portrayal of Lola is both complex and mesmerizing, combining sensuality with a world-weary cynicism that underscores the character's hard-edged exterior.

Similarly, Emil Jannings turns in a masterful performance as Immanuel Rath. Jannings imbues the character with a sense of tragic pathos, making him sympathetic even as his flaws become increasingly evident.

All in all, The Blue Angel is a timeless classic that remains a must-see for film lovers worldwide. Its exploration of love, obsession, and the corrupting influence of desire resonates with audiences to this day, cementing its status as a true cinematic masterpiece.

The Blue Angel is a 1930 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 90.