Based on Hermann Sudermann's play "The Undying Past", Flesh and the Devil (1926) was one of Greta Garbo's most successful Silent Films, and it served to position her as one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood at the time. Director Clarence Brown's job was made easier during the filming of Flesh and the Devil, because Garbo and her co-star John Gilbert did not have to fake their romantic chemistry on screen. The two stars had already begun a real-life whirlwind relationship, that briefly became an engagement, before Garbo broke it off. Garbo and Gilbert's rapport was so good, however, that the pair continued acting in films together into the Sound Era.
Leo (John Gilbert) and Ulrich (Lars Hanson) are the best of friends...
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| Flesh and the Devil. 1926 |
While home on leave, Leo meets the beautifully enchanting Felicitas (Greta Garbo)...
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| Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo |
and he is infatuated, seduced by her sexuality...
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| Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo |
and head over heels in love with her...
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| Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo |
Everything is fine until Felicitas' husband catches them together and challenges Leo to a duel. Leo wins the duel, killing the husband. As punishment, he is sent to be stationed in Africa...
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| Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo |
When Leo returns, he is dismayed to find that Felicitas has married Ulrich, his best friend...
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| Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo |
Can Leo and Ulrich's friendship survive... or is the sexual draw of Felicitas so strong that it will tear them apart...
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| Flesh and the Devil. 1926: Greta Garbo |
