What a brilliant commentary by Criterion! This is something completely new: "THE DUELING INTELLECTUALS TYPE." On this track, these film historians offer their unique perspectives on this landmark gem of the silent era. They sound like they are recorded seperately, but you hear "I disagree with that" and the other commentator expresses a strong antithesis to the previous point. Yikes, what a joy to listen!!

Those unfamiliar with silent cinema, especially silent drama, could perhaps gain greater enjoyment and appreciation if studios would add more commentaries to more silent films. These two scholars manage to make running, scene-specific comments and also to slip in needed background data about early German cinema and even about two key books on that subject. Their comments are delivered as if to a class of students more than to a general audience, and they are enlightening. They do get into some disagreements (at about the 30 and 55 minute marks, for example) about the meaning of a few scenes, but those moments (which are very low-keyed and polite) are really less interesting than the ongoing informative comments, which really enhance the film.