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Poster for Pandora's Box

Pandora's Box

1929 | 141 min | Drama, Crime, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for crime-drama fans and romantics. If you loved The Killing or Leaving Las Vegas, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Dark and gritty, warm and romantic.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 21 min.
What might put you off: It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Made in 1929: an older pace and style.
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The rise and inevitable fall of an amoral but naive young woman whose insouciant eroticism inspires lust and violence in those around her.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$886K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 58K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by G.W. Pabst

Louise BrooksLulu
Fritz KortnerDr. Ludwig Schön
Francis LedererAlwa Schön
Carl GoetzSchigolch
Krafft-RaschigRodrigo Quast
Alice RobertsCountess Anna Geschwitz
Daisy D'OraCharlotte Marie Adelaide von Zarnikow
Gustav DiesslJack the Ripper
Michael von NewlinskyMarquis Casti-Piani
Sig ArnoThe Stage Manager