This is one of Garbo's most erotic performances. She leads the dance from the
first scene she appears in. Whats so great about Garbo in this movie, is the
fact that she isn't nice. She is indeed a heavenly creature, but not all heavenly
creatures have a good heart. this is the first movie in which Garbos face reflects
every little emotion inside her character. This would later become a Garbo
trademark. |
Leo and Ulrich are life long friends. Home, on leave from the military, Leo meets
the beautiful Felicitas at the railroad station. Awed by her beauty, they meet
again at a ball and leave together. In her room, her husband, that Leo knew nothing
about, comes in and challenges Leo to a duel. Leo kills Felicitas husband.
Now Leo has to go to Africa for 5 years. He asks Ulrich to take care of Felicitas.
After 3 years, Ulrich is able to get a pardon for Leo, and all that Leo thinks
about on the way home is Felicitas. Felicitas, however, has married Ulrich.
She never told Ulrich about her affair with Leo. Leo is crushed and does not
visit them which saddens Ulrich as he does not know the reason why. Felicias uses
every oppurtunity to tempt Leo into becoming her lover.. She creating a deadly
triangle with the two life long friends. |
Greta Garbo Felicitas John Gilbert Leo Lars Hanson Ulrich Barbara Kent Hertha William Orlamond. Onkel Kutowski Director Clarence Brown Written by Benjamin Glazer MGM 1927 |
*In Sweden the movie was titeled "Åtrå" (desire). In Norway they named it "Erotikk" (erotica). That is maybe the most appropriate title for the movie....* *The movie was a great success, and it astablished Garbo as a star. The public loved the realistic love- scenes, and soon gossip- columns was reporting a real- life romance between Garbo and Gilbert.* |
*John Gilbert was MGM's biggest star when "Flesh and the devil" was made. Garbo,
however, was still a new name, and some doubted she would make it to the |
*"Flesh and the devil" is based on the overrated novel: "Es war", by Herman Sundermann.* |
*The love- scenes in this movie was the most erotic ever made. Garbo and Gilbert
was the first stars to french- kiss on film.* |
*"Flesh and the devil" was Garbo's movie. Much to do with photographer William Daniels
wonderful closeups of her face* |
*Garbo, however later said: "It never was a romance, and now I wonder what I ever
saw in him" |