Guillermo Garnica Bouchot
Top Sci-fi Silent Films Numbers 20 to 11
20. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916) US D: Stuart Paton
IMDB Rating: 6.2
1,657 Votes
Adaptation of the classic novel of Jules Verne, including some elements of another story by him: The Mysterious Island. Four people are rescued from a sea wreckage and join Captain Nemo in his submarine Nautilus in his adventures. With some groundbreaking work in underwater photography. Widely available.
19. Luch smerti (1925) (The Death Ray) Russia D:Lev Kuleshov
IMDB Rating: 6.3
103 Votes
A fascist western country heavily represses its workers. Amid a revolution, a death ray is built, and then the two sides fight to own the weapon. With negative reviews when released, the first and last reels are considered lost. The rest of the film is widely available.
18. Algol – Tragödie der Macht (1920) (Algol: Tragedy of Power) Germany D:Hans Werckmeister
IMDB Rating: 6.3
173 Votes
Robert, a coal mine worker, encounters an alien from planet Algol. This alien being provides Robert with a device that is an unlimited source of power. Considered lost for a long time, an excellent copy was found and premiered at MOMA in 2010.
17. She (1917) US D:Kenean Buel
IMDB Rating: 6.4
19 Votes
Loosely based on a novel of H. Rider Haggard of the same name. In this version, Leo is the descendant of a priest killed by Queen Ayesha, whose family’s heritage duty is to avenge the ancient priest’s assassination. Considered lost.
16. Life Without Soul (1915) US D: Joseph W. Smiley
IMDB Rating: 6.5
52 Votes
Adaptation of Frankenstein, in which Dr. Frawley creates a huge, strong man called «The Creation» with a “Fluid of Life” that he discovered, but with no soul who can differentiate good or evil. Of course, this leads to tragedy. Dr. Fowler must then chase his creation to stop the chaos. Considered lost.
15.Verdens Undergang (1916) (The End of the World) Denmark D: August Blom
IMDB Rating: 6.5
328 Votes
When an errant comet passes near earth causes major natural disasters, which bring riots and social unrest. Recognized for its special effects and the recent, at the time, crossing of Halley’s comet, the film was a success. Available.
14. Himmelskibet (1918) (A Trip to Mars) Denmark D: Holger-Madsen
IMDB Rating: 6.5
670 Votes
A group of scientists and adventurers fly to Mars, where they find a pacifist civilization. Considered the origin of the space opera subgenre. Restored in 2006 by the Danish Film Institute, Widely available.
13. Aelita (1924) Soviet Union D: Yákov Protazánov
IMDB Rating: 6.5
2,467 Votes
Los travels with his friend Gusev to Mars, and there she meets Aelita, the daughter of the tyrannical leader on Mars, who is in love with him after watching Los on a telescope. The three begin an uprising and lead a revolution. Based on the novel of the same name by Alekséi Tolstói. Not favored by the communist Soviet Union, was finally available after the end of the Cold War
12. Homunculus (1916) Germany D: Otto Rippert
IMDB Rating: 6.8
47 Votes
This entry is for the whole series. A group of scientists creates an artificial, perfect being which they call ‘Homunculus’. Once it grows this being discovers how he was created, and how he is a soulless being unable to feel love or empathy. Enraged, he decides to take revenge on humankind creating havoc all around. Knowing about these actions, the scientists try to chase him down to destroy their creation. Shortened version here.
11. Otrávené svetlo (1921) (The Poisoned Light) Czechoslovakia D: Jan S. KolárKarel Lamac
IMDB Rating: 6.9
18 Votes
Professor Oskar Grant invents a revolutionary device that turns night into day by a luminescent procedure. Some greedy institutions, governments, and crooks learn about this invention and try to steal it for their purposes. Restored in 2018 by the Czech Film Archive.
