The Plague in Florence Poster

The Plague in Florence 1919

★ 6.110 votes103 min📅 1919-10-23

In the grim shadow of 1919's silent cinema, Otto Rippert crafts *The Plague in Florence*, a gothic horror-drama steeped in decadence and doom.

Director: Otto Rippert

Cast

Marga von Kierska
Julia
Anders Wikman
Lorenzo
Theodor Becker
Medardus
Otto Mannstaedt
Cesare
Karl Bernhard
Lorenzo's Confidant
Hans Walter
Julia's Confidant
Auguste Prasch-Grevenberg
Auguste Prasch-Grevenberg
Julia's Maid
Julietta Brandt
The Plague
Erner Huebsch
Monk
Franz Knaak
Cardinal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Plague in Florence (1919) about?

This silent-era horror-drama follows Cesare, ruler of Florence, whose life unravels when a mysterious seductress ensnares him and his son, plunging the city into chaos. As corruption spreads, the heir commits a horrific act, only for Death itself to bring a plague that will erase the city's sinful legacy.

Who directed The Plague in Florence?

The film was directed by Otto Rippert, a German filmmaker known for blending gothic horror with historical drama in the silent cinema era.

Who stars in The Plague in Florence?

The cast features Marga von Kierska as the seductress, with Anders Wikman, Theodor Becker, Otto Mannstaedt, and Karl Bernhard rounding out the ensemble.

Is The Plague in Florence (1919) worth watching?

While it's a silent-era curiosity with limited availability, *The Plague in Florence* offers a fascinating glimpse into early horror's gothic roots. Its themes of moral decay and divine punishment make it compelling for fans of atmospheric, historical horror—if you can track down a copy.

How long is The Plague in Florence?

The film has a runtime of 103 minutes.

About The Plague in Florence (1919) — Silent Horror Classic of Renaissance Corruption

In the grim shadow of 1919's silent cinema, Otto Rippert crafts *The Plague in Florence*, a gothic horror-drama steeped in decadence and doom. Set against the backdrop of Renaissance Florence, the film follows Cesare, a powerful ruler whose life spirals into chaos when a seductive stranger arrives, ensnaring both him and his son in a web of obsession. As moral decay spreads through the city, the once-noble heir commits patricide, turning churches into dens of depravity before the specter of Death descends—her arrival heralding an unstoppable plague that will consume all in its path. Rippert's atmospheric direction blends historical drama with eerie horror, painting Florence as a city on the brink of annihilation, where passion and corruption fester beneath the surface of opulence.

Marga von Kierska brings a haunting allure to the enigmatic seductress, while the ensemble cast—including Anders Wikman and Theodor Becker—anchors the film's descent into madness. Themes of power, lust, and divine retribution intertwine as the plague symbolizes a society's inevitable reckoning. With its silent-era grandeur and gothic intensity, *The Plague in Florence* offers a mesmerizing, if unsettling, glimpse into early horror's fascination with fate and vengeance. A forgotten gem that lingers like a ghost in the halls of cinema history.