Svengali

Released May 1, 1931

1h 16m

Drama

List

83%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

With his powers of hypnosis, the cruel music teacher Svengali (John Barrymore) is able to control women. When he sets his sights on the beautiful Trilby O'Farrell (Marian Marsh), she falls under his spell -- but her true love, Billee (Bramwell Fletcher), won't be taken easily out of the picture. Though Svengali gets the golden-voiced Trilby to fake her death, and then brings her on a tour of Europe, Billee uncovers the deception and sets out to wrest her from Svengali's clutches.

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Valerii Ege D

Besides John Barrymore's magnificent acting, the movie actually has a good story. What makes it good is that even though Svengali can turn people into anything he wants with his power, he knows it is not real. Like, Love.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/13/23

Full Review

Andy F

More comedic than you might expect (apparently at the lead actor's request). Nonetheless John Barrymore's Svengali is a stunning portrayal and the film dazzles with its visuals.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/01/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

The greatest 01 hour: and 16 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/19/23

Full Review

Louisa E

I got a bit bored in this one. I didn't love the plot. I liked how it portrayed mind control and how much of a narcissist this character was, but I didn't feel connected enough to any of the characters to feel anything for them. The acting wasn't great. Marian Marsh was ok. Barrymore was pretty good, but the make-up let him down. There was no connection between Marsh and Barrymore, and this could be because she was still a teenager while he was almost 50. I get that it is a tale of a man taking advantage of a young girl, but something about it fell flat. The songs are not to my taste. I liked the use of contact lenses to make Barrymore's eyes look freaky, and the costumes were pretty good. There were some good design choices, and the cinematography had some lovely moments. But overall, I didn't enjoy this movie very much.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/08/23

Full Review

David K

This pre-code entry is odd. Early on, it bears some resemblance to German expressionism as it veers into horror. The last third, though, is fairly traditional pre-code stuff. The affair between a 50-year old grizzled, manipulative hypnotist and an 18-year old beauty that occurs only because of his spell on her is the driving force. Well worth a watch only because you may have never seen anything like it. Barrymore is at his best.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Based on Trilby an 1894 novel, did not perform well at the American box office. There's much debate as to whether or not this is a horror film. The film is creeping, intense, human and at times believable. John Barrymore was brilliant in the role and the production was elaborate.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

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Archie Mayo

Director

John Barrymore

Svengali

Marian Marsh

Trilby O'Farrell

Donald Crisp

The Laird

Bramwell Fletcher

Billee

Lumsden Hare

Monsieur Taffy

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

A peculiar, affecting ode to the tragic lecher

Mar 9, 2013

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Vintage old-fashioned psychological melodrama about the evil use of mind-control.

Rated: B-

Mar 24, 2006

Full Review

Michael Szymanski

Zap2it.com

Rated: 3/5

Sep 21, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 29, 2005

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

One of the best -- and most overlooked -- early talkie horror films. Barrymore is magnetic in the lead.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 29, 2004

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

Apollo Guide

Movies this old seem to come from another planet.

Rated: 55/100

Mar 16, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

With his powers of hypnosis, the cruel music teacher Svengali (John Barrymore) is able to control women. When he sets his sights on the beautiful Trilby O'Farrell (Marian Marsh), she falls under his spell -- but her true love, Billee (Bramwell Fletcher), won't be taken easily out of the picture. Though Svengali gets the golden-voiced Trilby to fake her death, and then brings her on a tour of Europe, Billee uncovers the deception and sets out to wrest her from Svengali's clutches.

Director: Archie Mayo
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 1, 1931, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 11, 2016
Runtime: 1h 16m

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