He Who Gets Slapped

He Who Gets Slapped is a 1928 silent film directed by Victor Sjöström, with a screenplay by Benjamin Glaser. The film is an adaptation of Rajáque's 1921 play of the same name, which was inspired by a 1913 novel called 'He Who Gets Slapped: A Tragedy' by Rajáque and a 1916 play by Léonce Perret, but then renamed 'He Who Gets Slapped' again by L. B. Alcott. The story revolves around the life of a brilliant scientist, a man of genius who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge in the field of medicine. He lives a modest life in a laboratory, where he spends most of his time conducting experiments, observing nature, and pondering the mysteries of life. This man's greatest asset, however, is his exceptional intelligence, his capacity to observe and learn from the world around him, and his unwavering dedication to his craft. Abarantos, the leading man's actual surname in Rajáque's novel was actually used but in film 'He Who Gets Slapped', he was referred to as 'Gwynplaine, Avarinatos or Abarantos being different titles for the same character' is often referred to as a man of a low birth who through sheer intelligence and hard work has risen to become respected in his field. His name is Avarine (in some versions of the story) or Abarantos (as in this film and the 1921 play) in some titles. In some renditions of this story, there is the use of his full first name, Ayrton. Abarantos was in a relationship with a beautiful woman, who eventually became his wife. However, their love was short-lived as she fell prey to the advances of a wealthy baron, who stole away both Abarantos's scientific discoveries and his beloved wife. In a cruel act of public humiliation and revenge, the baron slapped Abarantos in public. This event had a profound impact on Abarantos's life, driving him to a point where he became an outcast and an outcast of societal norms. To cope with the pain and shame of being a public spectacle, he began to observe and analyze the phenomenon of humiliation. Thus began a downward spiral into an abyss of despair, revenge, and madness. As if life had not already dealt him a cruel blow, the baron decides to marry Abarantos's estranged wife to him, with plans to have the couple join him in his social circle. To thwart the baron's plans, Abarantos finds solace in the circus, where he reinvents himself as a clown. He dedicates his act to demonstrating the art of being slapped repeatedly – in effect, the ultimate expression of human humiliation. Through this public display, Abarantos expresses his rage and frustration and takes revenge by turning the tables on the baron. However, his circus performances also inadvertently capture the heart of the showgirl, Beatrice. Despite her love for him, she is torn between her feelings for Abarantos and her impending marriage to the baron, who promises her a life of luxury but at the cost of her heart. Abarantos, driven by a deep longing, attempts to win Beatrice's love, and in an effort to save her from the hands of the baron, risks everything to rescue her from an arranged marriage. Yet, it is ultimately too late, and Beatrice is wed to the baron. The film takes viewers on a poignant and heart-wrenching journey into the depths of human suffering and tragedy. As the characters' fates intertwine, each becomes increasingly consumed by a cycle of violence, humiliation, and despair. Ultimately, the story becomes a powerful statement about the cruel hand of fate, where justice is often denied, and those who are wronged are powerless to prevent their own downfall. In the final scenes, having become completely broken, Abarantos becomes aware of his failures, the love he has lost, and the emptiness he has been carrying within himself for years. He decides to end his life and goes back to the laboratory that he once considered his home, where, as his own revenge, he causes the lab to be accidentally ignited, as in the novel. With this act, he takes control of his destiny, and, though defeated by the cruel hand of fate, Abarantos finally achieves a measure of justice by taking the only revenge open to him. He Who Gets Slapped serves as a powerful commentary on the tragic nature of human existence, the cruelness of fate, and the devastating consequences of a life filled with unrequited love, public humiliation, and social isolation. Despite the film's silent nature, the performances, cinematography, and direction collectively craft a powerful narrative that continues to move audiences today.