The Ancient Law (1923)

In the heart of a humble Galizian shtetl, young Baruch Mayr, the progeny of an orthodox rabbi, yearns for a life beyond the confines of his religious heritage. Defying family customs, he leaves the shtetl's familiarity to embrace the unpredictable allure of the stage. This divergence fractures his familial ties, his father exiling him from their close-knit community. Joining a modest burlesque troupe, Baruch's talent catches the eye of an Austrian Archduchess. She introduces him to the Burgtheater's director, Vienna's theatre cornerstone, where Baruch's star begins its ascent. As he navigates his nascent fame, he finds himself further estranged from his Jewish roots, becoming a more assimilated figure in his new world. However, his blossoming romance with the Archduchess stirs the court's disapproval, leading to its untimely end. An unexpected visit from a childhood friend, a wandering storyteller who first ignited Baruch's theatre dreams, triggers a wave of homesickness. Longing for his past, Baruch returns to his shtetl, hoping to reconnect with his family and rekindle his romance with his childhood sweetheart. But his father's steadfast disapproval forces him back to Vienna, this time with his beloved in tow. Yet, the devoted friend refuses to give up, persistently trying to bridge the chasm between Baruch and his father, to rectify the misunderstanding that has kept them apart. Amid the glittering opulence of Vienna and the rustic simplicity of his shtetl, Baruch must reconcile his past with his present, his heritage with his dreams.

The Ancient Law is a drama movie featuring Ernst Deutsch.

The Ancient Law is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.