In 16th-century Prague, a rabbi creates the Golem - a giant creature made of clay. Using sorcery, he brings the creature to life in order to protect the Jews of Prague from persecution.
16th century Prague: The emperor wants to expel the Jewish population from the city. In order to avert the impending disaster from the inhabitants of the Jewish ghetto, Rabbi Löw creates the fabled clay figure Golem, animating it through black magic. In a turn of events the Golem saves the emperor’s life, making him draw back his orders out of gratitude. Due to a concatenation of unfortunate circumstances the Golem turns on his creator and runs amok. DER GOLEM, WIE ER IN DIE WELT KAM was Paul Wegener’s third cinematization of the Jewish legend. The film was one of the most successful German silent film productions, both artistically and financially, whose exceptional expressionistic pictorial design and décor has lost nothing of its suggestive impact. The constructions conceived by Hans Poelzig were groundbreaking for cinematic set design. Until today the film is regarded as an inspiration and reference for the horror genre.