The Patriot (1928 film)

The Patriot is a 1928 semi-biographical film directed by Ernst Lubitsch and released by Paramount Pictures. It features synchronized music and sound effects, with some talking sequences, depicting the story of Emperor Paul I of Russia. The plot revolves around Count Pahlen's plot to remove the mad Tsar from the throne, eventually leading to the Tsar's death. The film stars Emil Jannings, Florence Vidor, and Lewis Stone.

The film won the Academy Award for Best Writing and was nominated for several other categories. However, only fragments of the film remain, with no complete copy found to date.

Plot
In 18th-century Russia, Tsar Paul is surrounded by murderous plots and trusts only Count Pahlen. Pahlen wishes to protect his friend, the mad king, but because of the horror of the king's acts, he feels that he must remove him from the throne. Stefan, who was whipped by the tsar for not having the correct number of buttons on his gaiters, joins with the count in the plot. The crown prince is horrified by their plans and warns his father, who, having no love for his son, places him under arrest for his foolish accusations. Pahlen uses his mistress, Countess Ostermann, to lure the tsar into the bedroom, where she tells him of the plot. The tsar summons Pahlen, who reassures him of his loyalty. Later that night, the count and Stefan enter his bedroom, and presently the tsar is dead. But moments later, Stefan turns a pistol on Pahlen. As the count lies dying on the floor, the countess appears and embraces Pahlen as he says, "I have been a bad friend and lover—but I have been a Patriot."

Cast

 * Emil Jannings as Tsar Paul I
 * Florence Vidor as Countess Ostermann
 * Lewis Stone as Count Pahlen
 * Vera Voronina as Mademoiselle Lapoukhine
 * Neil Hamilton as Crown Prince Alexander
 * Harry Cording as Stefan

Tullio Carminati and Carmencita Johnson appear uncredited in this movie.

Music
The musical score for the film was composed by Max Bergunker, Gerard Carbonara and Domenico Savino.

Writing
The film was written by Hanns Kräly; it is an adaptation of two plays: Paul I by Dmitry Merezhkovsky and The Patriot by Ashley Dukes (based on the novel Der Patriot by Alfred Neumann). The Dukes play was performed on Broadway in January 1928. John Gielgud made his Broadway debut in that play.

Awards
It won the Academy Award for Best Writing and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Lewis Stone) and Best Art Direction. It was the last Part-talkie that was nominated for Best Picture.

Remake
The film was remade in France in 1938 with the same title.

Preservation status
Only pieces of this film are left, including trailers. The UCLA Film and Television Archive is in possession of 2500 feet of footage (out of 10,000), and one reel was found in Portugal, but to date no complete copy has been located.

It is the only Best Picture Academy Award nominee for which no complete or near-complete copy has been found.