Christopher Nolan Called This Century-Old Psychological Drama With 96% on Rotten Tomatoes ‘a Lost Work of Absolute Genius’

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As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but be captivated by the extraordinary talent and admiration that directors like Christopher Nolan garner, particularly for their deep appreciation of cinema’s rich history. When such a revered filmmaker as Nolan, who holds film in high esteem, singles out a piece for acclaim, it’s hard not to take notice. Some films linger in the annals of cinematography not just because they were made, but because they were never fully realized. Erich von Stroheim’s 1924 silent masterpiece, Greed, a work once hailed by Nolan as “a lost masterpiece of unparalleled genius,” is one such film that exists more in legend than it does on the screen for most of us.

Initially conceived as a cinematic adaptation that faithfully captured the raw naturalism of Frank Norris’s novel McTeague, the original eight-hour cut of Greed was quickly discarded. However, even though the commercially released version fell short of its creator’s vision, the most complete reconstruction of Greed has maintained a remarkable 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Even after over a century, the mysterious allure of Greed, shared by directors like Nolan and many film historians, stems from its enigmatic existence – where the missing pieces only serve to magnify the impact of what remains.

Erich von Stroheim’s Uncompromising Vision Was Met With the Studio Buzzsaw

To truly grasp the magnitude of von Stroheim’s ambition and the studio’s shock, it’s essential to examine the foundation: Frank Norris’s novel, McTeague, published in 1899. This work was pivotal in American Naturalism, offering a glimpse into the raw instincts that lead ordinary individuals to self-destruction. The story and characters were far from glamorous; McTeague (Gibson Gowland), an unlicensed dentist living in San Francisco, exhibited a nearly animalistic simplicity, while his wife Trina’s (Zasu Pitts) initial kindness transformed into obsessive, pathological greed following a lottery win.

The story unfolds as they spiral into poverty, establish a bond and ultimately commit the flawless crime, leading to McTeague’s frantic escape into Death Valley. This novel, consisting of approximately 490 pages, was intended to be filmed in its entirety by von Stroheim, who was meticulous in his approach. Consequently, Greed was shot in a 42-reel, eight-hour version. It is said that a private viewing was hosted in January 1924, but only 12 people attended.

In the book “Greed: A Film” by Joel W. Finler, it’s stated that during the screening, attendees such as writer Idwal Jones and director Rex Ingram were reportedly left astounded, exclaiming they had seen “the best movie ever made.” They felt no other film could surpass it due to its grandeur. This masterpiece reflected a director’s focus on character psychology and thematic depth instead of commercial speed. Von Stroheim didn’t merely adapt McTeague; he seemed to transform its rich prose into visual dialogue, urging viewers to fully immerse in the characters’ psychological decay.

In the end, Stroheim’s ambitious concept was overshadowed by the rapidly expanding movie studio system, which eventually stripped it down to what he called the “remains” of his production. MGM, headed by Louis B. Mayer, objected to the length of the film. Even after Stroheim had initially shortened it to 24 reels, then to 18, the studio demanded even more drastic reductions. His unwillingness to relinquish control over his project resulted in MGM taking the negative, handing it over to editor June Mathis to create a commercially viable film from the leftovers. This film, now considered a ghostly presence in Hollywood, is a testament to that creative struggle.

The Existing Ghost of Greed: What Survives & Why It Still Matters

In the end, MGM took charge of the movie “Greed,” and Erich von Stroheim renounced the approximately 2.5-hour version released in December 1924, as he believed MGM had disfigured his magnum opus. To add salt to the wound, the response was unfavorable, with the film failing to recover its significant investment. Most of the deleted scenes, roughly six to seven hours’ worth, were later presumed lost or destroyed, effectively locking von Stroheim’s comprehensive plan in a permanent state.

According to a report, Henri Langlois, who led the Paris Cinémathèque, once screened the studio cut of “Greed” for Ernst von Stroheim. Langlois expressed that after watching the movie, he felt deeply moved and saddened. He stated:

“Henri Langlois shared that, upon viewing the film, he was left in tears and feeling sorrowful.

For nearly half a century, the eight-hour movie known as “Greed” remained Hollywood’s most elusive lost film, fueling legends and leaving movie buffs yearning with the thought of ‘what if’ they could ever see it in all its glory. But in 1999, a major breakthrough took place when Turner Entertainment pieced together a four-hour reconstruction using von Stroheim’s original script continuity and over 650 production photographs.

This particular adaptation offers the most comprehensive view yet of the original storyline and scale, which is why it boasts a high 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Over time, many films have been lost either due to intentional destruction for preservation reasons or unfortunate accidents.

1913’s “The Werewolf”, 1921’s “Dracula’s Death”, and 1923’s “London After Midnight” are among the most sought-after films whose original copies have been lost over time. Despite this, there remains a persistent fascination with these movies among both modern viewers and filmmakers, as they were believed to be seminal works in cinema history. It is regrettable that we can never experience these films in their complete form. However, even in its fragmented state, the silent film “Greed” still emanates a raw, unsettling power, and Nolan’s genius is evident in it.

Lucky for us, certain psychological aspects of the movie persisted due to the exceptional acting of Zasu Pitts, Gibson Gowland, and Jean Hersholt, who portrayed Trina, McTeague, and Marcus. Pitts’ evolution from a timid newlywed into a greedy hoarder obsessed with her coins is one of the most chilling representations of psychological deterioration in silent cinema. Her obsession serves as the catalyst for the story’s escalating insanity, leading even the other two characters into the clutches of greed. The remaining footage, shrouded by the specter of missing scenes, provides a compelling yet unsettling glimpse into the ruthless side of the film industry.

Nolan Walks With the Shadow of Greed Through His Works

As a follower, it’s quite clear that the theme of Greed holds a profound significance for Christopher Nolan, a director whose work often delves into themes like obsession, psychological vulnerability, and the intricate manipulation of storylines. Looking back, if you examine Nolan’s body of work from its inception, there’s always a hint of Greed lurking within his creations.

In McTeague and Trina, a fearful distrustfulness and a mental deterioration are apparent, which are echoed in many of his subsequent characters. A hint of Trina’s progression into fixation, her mind tainted by avarice, can be found in the story of Mal Cobb from Inception. Apart from the thematic similarities, Nolan, as a director, shares von Stroheim’s relentless artistic dedication. Renowned for standing firm for ambitious and intricate projects within the studio system, Nolan is an advocate for cinematic preservation.

The conflict between creativity and distribution is not a secret to anyone. Therefore, Greed serves as his most potent warning, symbolizing the peak of artistic aspiration cruelly cut short and irretrievably lost. In an interview, Nolan expressed regret over the missing version of Greed. He stated, “What a pity it doesn’t exist. But perhaps someday, someone will discover it. Such things do happen.

Regrettably, experiencing the full glory of Erich von Stroheim’s masterpiece “Greed” as it was originally intended remains a dream unfulfilled, given that only fragments have survived. Still, these surviving pieces, painstakingly pieced back together, garner critical praise and deep respect from filmmakers like Christopher Nolan. Over a century later, the enigmatic legacy of “Greed” persists, passing down its paradoxical imprint through ghost-like remembrances. Like Nolan, cinema enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the day this spectral image might become tangible once more.

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2025-05-03 01:12