Erich von Stroheim

One of the great visionaries of a bygone age. A studio with no idea what to do with him. Foolish Wives was decimated on release, only later reconstructed to its current, fragmented form. And yet its majestic grandeur remains—testament to the peerless innovation of its director, Erich von Stroheim.

While Rupert Julian took over directorial duties when Erich von Stroheim was fired for overspending, the spirit of the great director’s style lingers through Merry-Go-Round. Only some 10 minutes of von Stroheim’s footage remain, but Julian proves no slouch in pursuing the silent master’s vision.