Der getäuschte Pierrot (1917) Online

This is an example of one of the most unusual techniques in film making, the silhouette play. The best known examples are the animations of Lotte Reininger, whose feature -- arguably the first animated feature, DIE ABENTUR DIE PRINZ ACHMED -- is available on DVD for those interested.

Although the technique often gives a great sense of intimacy it does not work very well here for my taste. One reason is the broad bawdiness of the subject as Pierrette cuckolds Pierrot with another clown. The other is the reduction of the characters to classical types of ballet, which is largely foreign to my sensibilities. The air of unreality imposed by these factors make the intimacy of the silhouette technique incongruous.