The Last Laugh
A silent symphony of fallen pride and lost identity in Weimar Berlin. Through a revolutionary moving camera, the film captures the tragic descent of a man stripped of his uniform, blending Expressionist shadows with the harsh light of social reality.
The Last Laugh
The Last Laugh

Der letzte Mann

23 December 1924 Germany 90 min ⭐ 7.8 (341)
Director: F. W. Murnau
Cast: Emil Jannings, Maly Delschaft, Max Hiller, Hans Unterkircher, Hermann Vallentin
Drama
The Power of the Uniform The Cruelty of Schadenfreude Aging and Obsolescence Appearance vs. Reality

The Last Laugh - Characters & Cast

Character Analysis

The Doorman

Emil Jannings

Archetype: Tragic Hero / Everyman
Key Trait: Pride within the Uniform

Motivation

To maintain his dignity and the respect of his neighbors by hiding the truth of his demotion.

Character Arc

He starts as a proud, beaming figure of authority. After his demotion, he physically collapses, his posture stooping and his face crumpling in despair. He briefly regains a false dignity by stealing the uniform, but ultimately ends in total defeat before the epilogue reverses his fortune.

The Night Watchman

Georg John

Archetype: The Helper
Key Trait: Compassion

Motivation

Empathy and solidarity with a fellow worker.

Character Arc

He remains a constant, quiet presence of compassion. While others mock or ignore the Doorman, the Watchman offers him food and comfort.

The Manager

Hans Unterkircher

Archetype: The Antagonist
Key Trait: Cold Pragmatism

Motivation

Efficiency and the image of the hotel.

Character Arc

A static character representing the cold, unfeeling bureaucracy of the hotel. He makes business decisions without emotional regard for the human cost.

Cast

Emil Jannings as Hotelportier [Hotel Doorman]
Maly Delschaft as Seine Nichte [His Niece]
Max Hiller as Ihr Bräutigam [Her Bridegroom]
Hans Unterkircher as Geschäftsführer [Hotel Manager]
Hermann Vallentin as Spitzbäuchiger Gast [Potbellied Guest]
Emilie Kurz as Tante des Bräutigams [Bridegroom's Aunt]
Georg John as Nachtwächter [Night Watchman]
Emmy Wyda as Dünne Nachbarin [Thin Neighbor]
Harald Madsen as Wedding Musician (uncredited)
Carl Schenstrøm as Wedding Musician (uncredited)
Olaf Storm as Junger Gast [Young Guest]
O.E. Hasse as Small Role (uncredited)
Neumann-Schüler as Small Role (uncredited)
Erich Schönfelder as Small Role (uncredited)
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