The Loves Of the Pharaoh (1922) by Ernst Lubitsch in a newly restored version.
Reconstruction (2003-2005) based on incomplete copies of original
celluloid with Russian or Italian intertitles from the Bundesarchiv Filmarchiv,
the collections of Roberto Pallme and the George Eastman House.
The end sequence was copied
from outtakes at the Munich Film Museum,
of 16 mm black and white stock.
All materials were scanned in 2K resolution and digitally restored.
Select scenes were reconstructed and resequenced,
using the script and synopsis found in 1922 theater programs.
The text of missing intertitles were created from preserved fragments,
censorship cards, and the partially preserved
script. Some intertitles were from other countries.
Missing sections of the movie were restored
with still images and explanatory titles.
For the German premiere, the film was 2,976m. Approximately 600 meters remain missing.
Reconstruction and restoration Bundesarchiv Filmarchiv
and Munich Film Museum in collaboration with George Eastman House.
The Wife Of Pharaoh
A drama in 6 Acts by Norbert Falk and Hanns Kräly
Director, Ernst Lubitsch
Scenery: Ernst Stern and Kurt Richter
Costumes: Ernst Hubert Stern and Ali
Photography: Theodor Sparkuhl and Alfred Jansen
Characters:
Amenes, King of Egypt... Emil Jannings
Menon, the Governor... Paul Biensfeldt
The High Priest... Friedrich Kühne
Sotis, architect of the King... Albert Bassermann
Ramphis, his son... Harry Liedtke
Samlak, King of Ethiopia... Paul Wegener
Makeda, his daughter... Lyda Salmonova
Theonis, a Greek slave... Dagny Servaes
Act One
From Samlak, King of Ethiopia To King Amenes,
who sits on the throne of Amun Ra. May life grant you salvation and strength.
I come to Egypt, to your city, to humbly offer an alliance,
to strenghten us against our enemies.
As a token of my trust, I offer my daughter, Makeda,
to add to your temple treasures.
An accident during constuction of the treasure house.
We jeapordize the lives of our workers!
And we do not have enough time for the construction.
I only want to know when my treasure house will be finished, nothing else!
Pharaoh looks out his window, and only sees expendable men.
Construction of the treasure house is cursed!
Our men die terribly.
Because the king wants to build his treasure house.
for that, our men must die?
Let us go to Pharaoh!
Pharaoh! Give us back our men!
Think of our children!
It is time to offer the gods their sacrifice.
Lord of heavens, father of the gods, your king comes to thee,
to bless you in these morning hours!
Be kind to the King, for his virtues are innumerable...
He is kind, just and merciful.
King Samlak enroute to Egypt.
Our Princess will surely please the king of Egypt!
The Greek Girl considers herself too distinguished to help me.
Ramphis, the architect's son, is smitten and plunges into the water.
Ramphis, we must continue construction of the treasure house!
Princess Makeda sends guards down to the Nile,
to hunt for the Greek slave, Theonis.
The guard runs toward the river and captures the girl, Theonis.
Ramphis separates him from Theonis.
Terrified, Theonis runs back to camp.
There, King Samlak, informed by the slaver, demands an explanation.
In the dark of night, Ramphis slips into camp,
Releases Theonis and ties the slaver to the palm.
Theonis and Ramphis flee on the raft.
Princess Makeda discovers their escape and,
full of anger, strikes the slaver.
End of Act One.
Act Two
Ramphis, in raft filled with boxes and baskets, returns.
His father is working on ia model of the treasure house. When Sotis opens the baskets, he sees Theonis.
With horror, Sotis realizes Ramphis has stolen the Greek girl from King Samlak.
Ramphis defends his deeds. - He also stole her!
Please be reasonable.
The girl's beauty dissipates some of the older man's doubts.
Finally the hosts welcome her to their home.
On the steps of the palace, the King welcomes Samlak and Makeda
They are received by the governor Menon.
Samlak interrupts Menon's speech,.
and asks to be escorted to Pharaoh.
Samlak also avoids the official reception from the Egyptian court
and goes directly Amenes.
Allow me to place at your feet, a few modest donations!
Many slaves carry Samlak's gifts.
Samlak summons Makeda.
Now you receive my most valuable possession!
There lies my treasure!
Shall we go now, to see the temple where the treasure is stored?
It is forbidden, under penalty of death, for anyone to go near.
Even I cannot violate that law.
You have reason to be cautious, as your land is being plundered.
At the gates of your Capital, a slave was stolen!
I declare throughout the entire kingdom,
that the stolen slave is to be returned.
Come on, let's complete our alliance!
It is forbidden, under pain of death, to approach the treasury!
Tomorrow Morning.
What you doing near the treasury?
I went for a walk. By chance I found myself at the treasure house.
You lie!
You shall die, too!
Kill me, but let him live. It's my fault!
Once the sun rises, the punishment shall be enforced!
End of Act Two.
Act Three.
I am willing to spare his life!
I will wait until dawn... Then you die!
Now you know my will!
Take me to the King - But let him live!
By the magnanimity of wise Pharaoh you have switched death
to life imprisonment as forced labor in the quarry.
Ramphis - And Theonis? Menon - Executed
Here I am.
For the love of Ramphis... Do not send me away!
I love you!
My son, what happened?
Theonis was executed!
You're the first honest person... I'll do everything to earn your love!
But if I have pardoned ...
... pardoned to life imprisonment working in the quarry!
I demand to see the Pharaoh immediately!
He's busy with important affairs of state!
So are these, major affairs of state!
Are you not committed to returning the stolen slave?
That is her!
Amenes is paralyzed with fear,
Samlak wants to strike a dagger into Theonis.
Amenes calls the guards, who were placed to protect her.
You forget you're in Egypt!
I'll never forget that!
Samlak angrily leaves the Seraglio, Theonis approaches Amenes,
and takes her hand: I'd done the same for you!
End Of Act Three
Act Four
... All this for a foreign girl!
You know you risk your country with danger and war?
... And all for a slave!
No, she is a Queen!
Bless her!
The Ethiopians have invaded our land!
The Queen shall be presented to the people. Will not you come to see?
Long live the Queen!
War! The Ethiopians are crossing the country scorching and killing.
You know... I'm innocent of causing this war!
For you, I am going to war!
I will reward you one day for your love.
Now swear, you will not take another husband if I am slain!
Prisoners from the quarry have escaped!
Including Ramphis?
Swear!
I shall have you walled up in the treasury!
You will order no one to look for him?
Pharaoh orders Sotis to teach him the secret layout of the Treasury
The secret entrance: Here I keep that most precious... my wife.
Sotis, Do not worry, only four eyes know of this entrance.
Yours and mine.
Pharaoh: That is two eyes too many. Sobran: Blind Sotis!
In the torture chamber, Sotis begs for postponement
for one last look at sunlight.
Amenes march to war with their armies.
Father!
What value are the eyes of a man, to the King who worries about his wife!
The woman, because of whom you are blinded, she must die!
End Of Act Four
Act Five
The King does not wish to be disturbed!
Should you find Theonis still alive, do not humiliate her, she is my wife!
Forgive me for wanting to save you!
I stand before you as pure as when I left you.
Egyptian soldiers flee the city before the Ethiopian army.
The Ethiopian army take positions outside the city gates.
Where is the King?
We do not know!
King Amenes is dead!
If you voluntarily surrender the Queen, King Samlak be lenient.
Otherwise, the city will be destroyed and the population massacred!
The Queen must decide herself!
In your hands is the fate of the people! Decide!
Take me to King Samlak!
Only a coward would hand over the Queen to Barbarians.
We will hide in the Treasure House
then lock the Ethiopians in town!
Parliament reports to King Samlak,
waiting with his troops at the gates of the city.
Take the city by force if you can!
Egyptians!
This victory will never be forgetten the people!
The victorious warriors enter city, jubilant and rejoicing.
They carry Ramphis on their shoulders.
End Of Act Five
Act Six
The posthumous trial of King Amenes.
The body of the king has been stolen by enemy hands!
These are his remains.
According to our sacred custom, We shall judge the dead.
He was harsh, but fair!
Whoever has something bad to say about the dead, stand up!
Whoever has something to say in favor of the dead, please step forward!
Neither you, Queen Theonis, who was his desire...
nor Amenes, are free from guilt. There is no mourning for you.
Your names will be forever forgotten!
Let us depart, now that I'm free!
You are not free!
You are duty bound to heal the wounds of the people who suffered because of you!
From outside, Theonis listens to the cries of the mourners,
accompanying the funeral procession of fallen warriors.
The power is in your hands. Choose a righteous king for your country.
Spare the people from a new tyrant and select a worthy king.
Who do you think is the most worthy?
He is your King!
You are the hope of the people. It is your sacred duty...
Egyptians celebrate their new King.
Do not you recognize me? Amenes, your King>
This crazy fool imagines himself King Amenes!
Amenes!
Where is Theonis?
Like a ghost, Amenes appears in the room.
Why do you wear mourning for me?
Who is your King?
Ramphis!
The people are against you, You've lost the crown!
But the woman ...
I claim my wife!
According to the divine law, that woman belongs to Amenes.
Who dares to act against the commandments of the gods?
Take the crown, but leave me Theonis!
When you get the power ...
Our men were betrayed by that woman's treachery!
By the whim of that woman our men were slaughtered!
Stone them!
Spare them!
Amenes rushes, but Ramphis,
dying, stands between him and Theonis.
Amenes screams at the mob who depart in silence before him:
Have you no stones for me?
END