The Face Thief Poster

The Face Thief 1910

10 min📅 1910-10-27

A 1910 silent short film by Gunnar Helsengreen, *The Face Thief* delivers a tense, early cinematic tale of deception and justice.

Director: Gunnar Helsengreen

Cast

Aage Garde
Konsul Bjørn/Ansigtstyven
Jenny Roelsgaard
Ingeborg, konsulens frue
Philip Bech
Philip Bech
Politidirektøren
Alfred Cohn
Svi-Svi, forbryder
Aage Schmidt
Levemanden, forbryder
Aage Fønss
Aage Fønss
Røret, forbryder
Marie Niedermann
Marie Niedermann
Dansemusen, forbryder
Aage Bjørnbak
Pariserdrengen, forbryder
Peter Malberg
Peter Malberg
Axel Garde

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Face Thief (1910) about?

The film follows a cunning criminal who escapes his pursuers and impersonates a wealthy consul to rob his unsuspecting wife. The story unfolds as the thief exploits the consul's absence, leading to a dramatic confrontation where his deception is exposed.

Who directed The Face Thief?

The Face Thief was directed by Gunnar Helsengreen, a notable figure in early Danish cinema.

Who stars in The Face Thief?

The film features Aage Garde, Jenny Roelsgaard, Philip Bech, Alfred Cohn, and Aage Schmidt in key roles.

Is The Face Thief (1910) worth watching?

As a silent-era short film, *The Face Thief* offers a fascinating glimpse into early storytelling and suspense techniques. While it may lack modern production values, its concise narrative and thematic depth make it a worthwhile watch for silent cinema enthusiasts.

How long is The Face Thief?

The Face Thief runs for approximately 10 minutes.

About The Face Thief (1910) — Silent Film's Early Tale of Identity Theft and Justice

A 1910 silent short film by Gunnar Helsengreen, *The Face Thief* delivers a tense, early cinematic tale of deception and justice. When a wealthy consul leaves his wife unguarded in their lavish villa, a master criminal seizes the opportunity—escaping his pursuers and leading his gang to impersonate the consul through a daring theft of his clothes. The 'Face Thief' infiltrates the home, posing as the unsuspecting husband to plunder the household, all while the consul's absence unravels a web of chaos. The story builds to a climactic moment where truth triumphs over disguise, revealing the villain's true identity and restoring order. Shot in the era of pioneering silent cinema, the film blends suspense with moral clarity, embodying the thrill of early storytelling.

The atmosphere is one of suspenseful elegance, where luxury and danger collide in a compact, 10-minute runtime. Helsengreen's direction emphasizes the stark contrast between the consul's privileged life and the cunning brutality of the thief, creating a memorable snapshot of early 20th-century cinema's ability to captivate with minimal dialogue.