F. W. Murnau's adaptation of Molière's satire on religious hypocrisy has always been overshadowed by his masterpieces The Last Laugh and Sunrise. But this splendid, if incomplete, version reveals it to be both a dramatically satisfying and technically accomplished picture, with Karl Freund's shadowy cinematography the highlight.
Emil Jannings revels in the faux piety of the titular rogue, but he's well matched by Lil Dagover's determination to deliver duped husband Werner Krauss from the imposter's clutches.