The Patriot

 

Alas, when it comes to watching and reviewing all the Academy Award-nominated Best Picture films, there is one major stumbling block: The Patriot from 1928. At present, this film is considered lost, with just 1/4 of it known to exist and a full reel held in the archives at UCLA. Because of this, it is impossible to truly rank this film. The concept of Schrödinger’s Cat would lead me to believe that this is the film that should have won the Best Picture at the 1928/1929 Oscars based solely on my experience with the other films nominated at that ceremony. 

Full transparency: because I cannot see this film personally—though I plan to watch what I can when I make my pilgrimage to UCLA to see The White Parade—I will just copy and paste the plot summary from everyone’s favorite online source, Wikipedia. 

In 18th-century Russia, Tsar Paul is surrounded by murderous plots and trusts only Count Pahlen. Pahlen wishes to protect his friend, the mad king, but because of the horror of the king's acts, he feels that he must remove him from the throne. Stefan, who was whipped by the tsar for not having the correct number of buttons on his gaiters, joins with the count in the plot. The crown prince is horrified by their plans and warns his father, who, having no love for his son, places him under arrest for his foolish accusations. Pahlen uses his mistress, Countess Ostermann, to lure the tsar into the bedroom, where she tells him of the plot. The tsar summons Pahlen, who reassures him of his loyalty. Later that night, the count and Stefan enter his bedroom, and presently the tsar is dead. But moments later, Stefan turns a pistol on Pahlen. As the count lies dying on the floor, the countess appears and embraces Pahlen as he says, "I have been a bad friend and lover—but I have been a Patriot."

This Paramount Pictures release has frustrated completionists for decades now who wish to see it all, only to realize at present that it is not possible. All we have readily available is a trailer on YouTube and a handful of reviews from back in the day. I am not a reviewer of reviews, so I will not be regurgitating what others have said about it. Instead, this will simply be a placeholder in case a copy of the film ever does materialize. I will also come back to this review after seeing what footage does exist and will update it based on that.

Until then…

Academy Award Nominations:

Outstanding Production: Ernst Lubitsch

Best Director: Ernst Lubitsch

Best Actor: Lewis Stone

Best Writing: Hanns Kräly, based on Ashley Dukes’ translation of the play Der Patriotby Alfred Neumann, and the story Paul I by Dmitry Merezhkovsky (won)

Best Art Direction: Hans Dreier

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Release Date: August 17, 1928

Running Time: 113 Minutes

Not Rated

Starring: Emil Jannings, Florence Vidor, Lewis Stone, and Neil Hamilton

Directed By: Ernst Lubitsch