The Last Command 1928
8 / 10
The Last Command
A former Imperial Russian general and cousin of the Czar ends up in Hollywood as an extra in a movie directed by a former revolutionary.
A former Imperial Russian general and cousin of the Czar ends up in Hollywood as an extra in a movie directed by a former revolutionary.
Videos & Photos
All 0 Videos & 11 Photos
cast
Full Cast & Crew
... Gen. Dolgorucki / Grand Duke Sergius Alexander
... Natalie Dabrova
... Lev Andreyev
JR
Jack Raymond... Assistant director
... The adjutant
... Serge (the valet)
User reviews
See All 1 Reviews06 Jun 2022 by CinemaSerf
Emil Jannings is masterful in this depiction of an elderly gentleman selected by an Hollywood director (William Powell) to play the part of a Russian general in a film. When he arrives on set, his colleagues tease him about a medal he is wearing. He proceeds to tell them it was given to him by Czar Nicholas II himself, and after a bit of playful derision, they return the medal and the "General" finds himself looking into the mirror of his make-up box whence he drifts into a retrospective of his true self - the commanding General Grand Duke Sergius Alexander, cousin to the Czar and the man in charge of Imperial Russian forces in 1917. His portrayal of this proud, effective man who displays some sense of pragmatism about their military situation, coupled with a sense of gentleness to Evelyn Brent (who is actually the Bolshevik spy sent to eliminate him "Natalie") is nuanced and engaging. As the revolution turns the tables on this once powerful man, we see his character exposed to hardship and degradation before his new love manages to help him escape the clutches of the murderous mob. When we return to the present day, this old, fading, patriot sees his candle burn brightly just one last time... Though it may have some basis in truth - it was frequently safer for European generals who lost battles to flee rather than face the consequences at home - it is a fictional story and I think that allows Josef von Sternberg much more licence to create and develop the characters. Jannings is super, but to a lesser extent, so is Brent as the dedicated revolutionary who falls in love with the old Duke, and sees in him a different sort of love for his country, one she finds endearing and honourable. The photography works well in illustrating the revolutionary scenes amidst the poverty and cold and sparing use of inter-titles gives us plenty to keep this strong, impassioned narrative moving along perfectly. Great watch.
Directors:
Release Date:
Jan 21, 1928 (United States)
Run Time:
1hr 28`
MMPA Rating:
Original Language:
English
Production Countries:
United States
Status:
Released
Plot Keywords:
Related Movies To
The Last Command
Emil Jannings is masterful in this depiction of an elderly gentleman selected by an Hollywood director (William Powell) to play the part of a Russian general in a film. When he arrives on set, his colleagues tease him about a medal he is wearing. He proceeds to tell them it was given to him by Czar Nicholas II himself, and after a bit of playful derision, they return the medal and the "General" finds himself looking into the mirror of his make-up box whence he drifts into a retrospective of his true self - the commanding General Grand Duke Sergius Alexander, cousin to the Czar and the man in charge of Imperial Russian forces in 1917. His portrayal of this proud, effective man who displays some sense of pragmatism about their military situation, coupled with a sense of gentleness to Evelyn Brent (who is actually the Bolshevik spy sent to eliminate him "Natalie") is nuanced and engaging. As the revolution turns the tables on this once powerful man, we see his character exposed to hardship and degradation before his new love manages to help him escape the clutches of the murderous mob. When we return to the present day, this old, fading, patriot sees his candle burn brightly just one last time... Though it may have some basis in truth - it was frequently safer for European generals who lost battles to flee rather than face the consequences at home - it is a fictional story and I think that allows Josef von Sternberg much more licence to create and develop the characters. Jannings is super, but to a lesser extent, so is Brent as the dedicated revolutionary who falls in love with the old Duke, and sees in him a different sort of love for his country, one she finds endearing and honourable. The photography works well in illustrating the revolutionary scenes amidst the poverty and cold and sparing use of inter-titles gives us plenty to keep this strong, impassioned narrative moving along perfectly. Great watch.
Cast & Crew of
The Last Command
Directors & Credit Writers
... Director
Cast
... Gen. Dolgorucki / Grand Duke Sergius Alexander
... Natalie Dabrova
... Lev Andreyev
JR
Jack Raymond... Assistant director
... The adjutant
... Serge (the valet)
... A revolutionist
... Revolutionist (uncredited)
... Russian Youth (uncredited)
... Drillmaster (uncredited)
... Drillmaster (uncredited)
... Wardrobe Attendant (uncredited)
SS
Sam Savitsky... A Private (uncredited)
... A Soldier (uncredited)
... Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
Produced By
Videos & Photos of
The Last Command
Photos ( 11 )
Related Movies To
The Last Command
STRAW (2025)
0 /10
What will be her last straw? A devastatingly bad day pushes a hardworking single mother to the breaking point — and into a shocking act of desperation.
Run Time: 1hr 45` . MMPA: R . Release: 05 Jun 2025
Director: Matt Hendren , Roger Berard , Tyler Perry
Producer: Nadia Brown , Angi Bones , Kim Taylor-Coleman
Stars: Taraji P. Henson , Sherri Shepherd , Teyana Taylor , Sinbad , Rockmond Dunbar , Ashley Versher
House of Ga'a (2024)
0 /10
At the height of the Oyo Empire, the ferocious Bashorun Ga'a became more powerful than the kings he enthroned, only to be undone by his own blood.
Run Time: 2hr . MMPA: R . Release: 26 Jul 2024
Director: Bolanle Austen-Peters
Producer: Bolanle Austen-Peters
Stars: Femi Branch , Mike Afolarin , Funke Akindele , Toyin Abraham , Ibrahim Chatta , Femi Adebayo
Warrior Queen (1987)
3.3 /10
In ancient Pompeii, slaves are bought and sold for household chores and sex. A mysterious queen moves among the elite, meantime secretly helping the slaves to escape. Eventually her life is also in jeopardy, and as the volcano erupts she and the slaves attempt to escape while being chased by the military.
Run Time: 1hr 19` . MMPA: . Release: 26 Jan 1987
Director: Chuck Vincent
Producer: Donatella Donati , Harry Alan Towers , Joe D'Amato
Stars: Sybil Danning , Donald Pleasence , Rick Hill , Josephine Jacqueline Jones , Tally Chanel , Samantha Fox
Out of Exile (2023)
0 /10
Recently paroled thief Gabriel Russell tries to balance his life and mend a troubled family as an FBI agent hunts him down, along with his crew after a botched armored car robbery.
Run Time: 1hr 47` . MMPA: R . Release: 20 Jan 2023
Director: Kyle Kauwika Harris
Producer: Jacob Snovel , Karrie Cox , Kelley Gann
Stars: Adam Hampton , Karrie Cox , Kyle Jacob Henry , Ryan Merriman , Peter Greene , Hayley McFarland
Shadow Force (2025)
0 /10
Kyrah and Isaac were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force. They broke the rules by falling in love, and in order to protect their son, they go underground. With a large bounty on their heads, and the vengeful Shadow Force hot on their trail, one family's fight becomes all-out war.
Run Time: 1hr 43` . MMPA: R . Release: 01 May 2025
Director: Lorette Leblanc , James Bitonti , Juan Pablo Rico Gómez
Producer: Juan Pablo Rincón , Valerie Bleth Sharp , Sterling K. Brown
Stars: Mark Strong , Kerry Washington , Omar Sy , Da'Vine Joy Randolph , Method Man , Ed Quinn
Conjuring the Cult (2024)
0 /10
After discovering his blood-soaked daughter dead in the bathtub, David Bryson attends a self-help group to help save him from his ghostly nightmares. But when a group of mysterious cult-like women offer to help him resurrect his daughter. David's choices will not just decide his fate... but the fate of his dead daughter's SOUL.
Run Time: 1hr 33` . MMPA: . Release: 01 Oct 2024
Director: Calvin Morie McCarthy
Producer:
Stars: Neil Green , Elissa Dowling , Chynna Rae Shurts , BJ Mezek , Jason Brooks , Brad Littlefield
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
7.1 /10
A live-action adaptation of Disney's version of the classic tale of a cursed prince and a beautiful young woman who helps him break the spell.
Run Time: 2hr 9` . MMPA: PG . Release: 16 Mar 2017
Director: Cathy Doubleday , Dan Channing-Williams , Matthew Sharp
Producer: Ruth Key , Greg Yolen , Thomas Schumacher
Stars: Emma Watson , Dan Stevens , Luke Evans , Josh Gad , Kevin Kline , Hattie Morahan
The Accountant (2016)
7.3 /10
As a math savant uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities and the body count starts to rise.
Run Time: 2hr 8` . MMPA: R . Release: 13 Oct 2016
Director: Amir R. Khan , Lori Grabowski , Gavin O'Connor
Producer: Patrick Dugger , Leslie Woo , Leigh Jonte
Stars: Ben Affleck , Anna Kendrick , J.K. Simmons , Jon Bernthal , Jeffrey Tambor , Cynthia Addai-Robinson
Front of the Class (2008)
8.1 /10
A boy with Tourette's syndrome overcomes criticism and discrimination to achieve his dream of becoming a teacher.
Run Time: 1hr 35` . MMPA: . Release: 07 Dec 2008
Director: Peter Werner
Producer: Andrew Gottlieb
Stars: James Wolk , Treat Williams , Dominic Scott Kay , Sarah Drew , Kathleen York , Joe Chrest
Warfare (2025)
0 /10
A platoon of Navy SEALs embarks on a dangerous mission in Ramadi, Iraq, with the chaos and brotherhood of war retold through their memories of the event.
Run Time: 1hr 35` . MMPA: R . Release: 09 Apr 2025
Director: Emily Thomas , Alex Garland , Ray Mendoza
Producer: Charlie Reed , Peter Rice , Andrew Macdonald
Stars: Charles Melton , Joseph Quinn , Will Poulter , Kit Connor , Cosmo Jarvis , D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai
Breathing In (2023)
0 /10
1901, South Africa. As the Second Anglo-Boer War rages on, a wounded General seeks refuge in the small home of a woman and her young daughter. As the hurt man settles in, he begins noticing that something is off about the two women, particularly the daughter, and before long, he’ll learn the real reason for why they’ve invited him and for how they’ve survived on their own for so long.
Run Time: 1hr 45` . MMPA: . Release: 18 Oct 2023
Director: Jaco Bouwer
Producer:
Stars: Michele Burgers , Sven Ruygrok , Jamie-Lee Money , Lionel Newton
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
7.9 /10
A World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, Jojo must confront his blind nationalism.
Run Time: 1hr 48` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 18 Oct 2019
Director: Frantisek Rezek , Martina Götthansova , Karel Kubis
Producer: Maya Kvetny , Kevan Van Thompson , Pavel Voráček
Stars: Roman Griffin Davis , Thomasin McKenzie , Scarlett Johansson , Taika Waititi , Sam Rockwell , Rebel Wilson