Film

The Light Ahead

1939 · 1h 34m · Drama

IMDb

6.5

The Light Ahead is possibly the greatest of Edgar G. Ulmer’s shtetl films. Here, the director counterpoints his pastoral Green Fields to criticize the poverty and superstition that oppress a pair of star-crossed lovers. Made on the eve of World War II, The Light Ahead is at once romantic, expressionist, and painfully conscious of the danger about to engulf European Jews. Impoverished and disabled lovers Fishke and Hodel dream of life in the big city of Odessa, free from the poverty and stifling old-world prejudices of the shtetl. The benevolent and enlightened bookseller Mendele helps them, turning small-town superstitions to their advantage. Based on Mendele Mokher Seforim's story of love frustrated by small-town ignorance, this luminous allegory of escape marries Edgar Ulmer's masterful direction with superb acting by members of New York's Artef and Yiddish Art Theaters.

Helen Beverly

Hodele (the blind)

David Opatoshu

Fishke (the lame)

Isidore Cashier

Mendele Moicher Sforim

• Edgar G. UlmerScreenplay · Director
• Shirley UlmerScreenplay
• Peter E. KasslerProducer
• Edward HylandDirector of Photography

Release date

June 1, 1939

Status

Released

Original language

English

Runtime

1h 34m

Genres

Drama