L'Atlantide (1921)
Directed by Jacques Feyder
Share on
Synopsis by Janiss Garza
Although this was French filmmaker Jacques Feyder's first truly important film, you wouldn't guess it by reading the trade papers of the day. Because of the storyline -- a fantasy tale adapted from the novel by Pierre Benoit -it was considered a novelty. In addition, Film Daily went out of its way to remark on the unattractiveness of star Stacia Napierkowska -- her zaftig figure was too hefty for American tastes. The film opens with a discussion between two French officers about the disappearance of Captain Morhange (Jean Angelo). It is suspected that Lieutenant Saint-Avit (Georges Melchior) knows more than he has let on, and finally he tells what happened. While traveling through the desert, Saint-Avit and Morhange were lured to the submerged Atlantis. The ruler, Queen Antinea (Napierkowska), marries men and casts them off until they die of love. She then turns them into gold and places them in the hall of red marble. Saint-Avit fell prey to the Queen's charms and married her. Morhange, however, had taken a vow of celibacy so he resisted her. This infuriated the Queen so she influenced Saint-Avit to kill Morhange. Although Saint-Avit has escaped from Atlantis, he plans to go back, and after telling his tale, he friend decides to go with him.
Characteristics
Keywords
black-widow [human], murder, seduction
Attributes
High Historical Importance