Erich von Stroheim, born in Vienna in 1885, became one of the most distinctive directors of early Hollywood. Before achieving fame behind the camera, Stroheim’s career began in acting — a path that ultimately led him to directing.
After emigrating to the United States in the early 1900s, Stroheim took on various jobs before finding his place in the burgeoning silent film industry. His Viennese cultural background, marked by a flair for drama and an obsession with detail, would become the foundation of his directing style.
From Actor to Director
Working under pioneering filmmaker D.W. Griffith, Stroheim often played villainous roles that capitalized on his European demeanor. This period gave him direct exposure to the filmmaking process and deepened his interest in directing.
In 1919, he made his directorial debut with Blind Husbands, a film he also wrote and starred in. The success of this movie established Stroheim as a filmmaker capable of crafting complex narratives exploring human relationships and moral dilemmas.
Stroheim was renowned for his uncompromising realism. He demanded authentic sets, costumes, and props — often at great cost — to achieve the realism he believed cinema needed. His works frequently explored the darker sides of human nature, a hallmark of his artistry.
Hollywood Battles: Censorship and Studio Conflicts
Conflict with American Censors
Stroheim’s films, such as Foolish Wives and Greed, portrayed infidelity, moral corruption, and other taboo subjects. These themes frequently clashed with Hollywood censorship, otherwise known as Hollywood’s strict moral codes, leading to censorship battles and heavily edited releases.
Tensions with Studios
His perfectionism often caused budgets and schedules to balloon, frustrating studio executives. As a result, Stroheim turned toward independent filmmaking to preserve creative control.
Early Films and the Extravagance of Foolish Wives
Erich von Stroheim’s entry into directing was marked by his distinct narrative style and his uncompromising dedication to realism, which were evident in his first two directorial efforts. His debut, “Blind Husbands” (1919), already showcased his penchant for moral complexity, portraying intricate relationships and the darker sides of human nature. His follow-up, “The Devil’s Passkey” (1920), continued these themes, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker unafraid to explore controversial subjects.
Breakthrough with “Foolish Wives”
Stroheim’s third film, “Foolish Wives” (1922), however, was the one that truly publicized him as a force in the film industry. Known for its extravagant production and exorbitant costs, “Foolish Wives” was an audacious project that pushed the boundaries of film production at the time.
In a move that exemplified his commitment to authenticity, Stroheim set out to recreate the opulent environment of Monte Carlo in painstaking detail.
The Extravagance of “Foolish Wives”
The film’s production was notorious for its lavish spending. Stroheim insisted on an uncompromising level of detail for the set, going as far as rebuilding all of Monte Carlo to ensure the film’s setting mirrored the genuine location. This decision resulted in one of the most expensive sets ever constructed for a film at that time, contributing significantly to the film’s high production costs.
One of the most illustrative examples of Stroheim’s extravagant spending was his insistence on using genuine, high-end underwear for his actors. He believed that if his cast wore underwear that the aristocracy would wear, it would enhance their performances by making them feel more in tune with their characters. This meticulous attention to detail was a hallmark of Stroheim’s directorial approach but also a point of contention with producers concerned about budget overruns.
Financial Stakes and Reception
The financial stakes for “Foolish Wives” were immense. The film needed to be a significant commercial success to justify its unprecedented budget. While it was one of the highest-grossing films of its time, its enormous cost meant that turning a profit was a more challenging endeavor. The film’s reception was mixed, with some praising its artistic merit and audacity, while others criticized it for what they perceived as needless extravagance.
The financial pressures and critical scrutiny surrounding “Foolish Wives” exemplified the constant balancing act Stroheim faced in his career—between his artistic aspirations and the pragmatic concerns of film production. The film’s legacy, however, endures as a testament to Stroheim’s vision and his unwavering dedication to bringing a palpable sense of realism to the silver screen.
Erich von Stroheim’s early films, especially “Foolish Wives,” highlight his influence as a director who was not only ahead of his time in terms of narrative complexity but also in his revolutionary approach to film production. His commitment to authenticity, while often financially imprudent, set new standards in filmmaking, making him a pivotal figure in the history of cinema.
The Epic and Tragic Fate of Greed
Erich von Stroheim’s film “Greed,” adapted from Frank Norris’s novel McTeague, is a seminal example of naturalism in American cinema, pushing the boundaries of realism to an unprecedented level. Stroheim’s commitment to extreme realism not only defined the production’s ethos but also deeply influenced its narrative and thematic execution.
Stroheim chose to film “Greed” in the actual settings of the novel, returning to San Francisco to ensure that the film captured the essence of its source material. In a move that blurred the lines between life and art, Stroheim had his actors live on location, both day and night, to fully immerse them in the gritty reality of their characters’ lives.
This method was particularly intense during the filming of scenes set in Death Valley, where the cast and crew faced extreme temperatures that reached 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) at 2 AM. This harsh environment was not just a backdrop but a crucible in which the actors’ performances were forged, embodying the physical and emotional hardships of their characters.
In “Greed,” Stroheim did not shy away from critiquing foundational American values, particularly the sanctity of the family unit. One of the film’s most poignant scenes is a wedding sequence that juxtaposes the celebration of marriage with a funeral procession outside, symbolizing the thin line between joy and sorrow, life and death. Stroheim portrays the wedding not as a solemn or romantic event but rather as an opportunity for the guests, depicted as members of the lower class, to indulge in excess, highlighting their desperation and societal neglect.
Stroheim’s attempt to adapt Norris’s book as faithfully as possible extended to recreating specific scenes word for word from the source material. This included the meticulous depiction of a dentist’s office, where the protagonist, McTeague, works. Stroheim’s portrayal of dental procedures in explicit detail underscored the brutal reality of the characters’ everyday lives, further anchoring the film in a palpable sense of realism.
Editorial Battles and the Lost Film
Despite Stroheim’s visionary approach, “Greed” became embroiled in controversy due to its length and the director’s uncompromising method. Initially, Stroheim produced a film that lasted 7 and a half hours, later cut down to 6 hours. However, the studio, deeming it commercially impractical, seized control of the film and further reduced its length to approximately 3 hours. This heavily re-edited version stripped “Greed” of much of its narrative depth and thematic complexity, resulting in what many considered a disjointed and ultimately failed film.
The original, uncut version of “Greed” has been described by those who saw it as a masterpiece of American cinema, but it remains lost, with only the shortened version surviving. The tragedy of “Greed” illustrates the conflict between artistic vision and commercial viability, a theme that haunted much of Stroheim’s career.
Erich von Stroheim’s “Greed” stands as a testament to the potential of cinema to explore and express the darker, more complex aspects of human nature and society. Stroheim’s relentless pursuit of authenticity in filmmaking, while it brought him into conflict with Hollywood’s commercial constraints, also cemented his legacy as one of the most daring and innovative directors in the annals of film history.
Erich von Stroheim’s career in Hollywood serves as a poignant example of the challenges faced by filmmakers who prioritize artistic integrity over commercial viability. His struggles with censors and Hollywood executives highlight the tension between creative expression and the economic and moral constraints of the film industry. Stroheim’s legacy, however, remains that of a visionary auteur whose films continue to be celebrated for their ambitious storytelling and meticulous attention to detail, underscoring the lasting impact of his work on the world of cinema.
Stroheim’s Influence on Cinema
Despite financial struggles and clashes with Hollywood, Stroheim’s directing techniques, commitment to realism, and refusal to compromise shaped early cinema. His work paved the way for directors who value artistic integrity over commercial appeal.
Deepen Your Knowledge with these books:
- Stroheim (by Arthur Lennig) – A critically acclaimed modern biography that dispels many myths surrounding Stroheim and offers a richly detailed portrait, praised by film historians for its depth.
- Peter Noble – Hollywood Scapegoat: The Biography of Erich von Stroheim – A postwar-era biography that contextualizes Stroheim’s turbulent relationship with Hollywood studios and the cultural environment that shaped his challenges and controversies.
- Von - The Life & Films of Erich von Stroheim (Richard Koszarski) – A revised and expanded edition of The Man You Loved to Hate, this work incorporates previously overlooked European archival discoveries and offers an updated, richly illustrated account of Stroheim’s career.
- Herman G. Weinberg – The Complete Greed of Erich von Stroheim
A remarkable reconstruction of Greed, featuring 348 still photos and production stills following Stroheim’s original screenplay—a vivid visual insight into the lost uncut version.
