Casanova

In his comments Mr. Arthur has given a full detail on what he believes to be this film, however it seems that he is confusing this entry with the 1927 silent CASANOVA produced by MGM. The Hungarian CASANOVA of 1918 is preserved in part at the Hungarian Film Institute in Budapest. Only a third of the film now remains. It is much sought as Bela Lugosi made one of his first screen appearances in this film. Sadly, his role does not seem to exist in the footage now known. But Lugosi's presence is confirmed by his own account and the discovery of several stills from this film among the late actor's personal effects.

Casanova's life was extraordinary (friend of King Louis and the man who set-up the first lottery, lover of innumerable women and man of letters, an escapee from Russia, having been held there by a furious Catherine The Great, a spy who escaped from a Venetian gaol the night before his execution) and this is reflected in this extraordinary film, which sweeps you off your feet in the manner of Birth of a Nation or Abel Gance's Napoleon. The playfulness and breadth of eighteenth century novels is the spirit that defines this remarkable piece of cinema. Unmissable, if only you can get to see it!