Performance & Direction: Svengali Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Svengali (1931) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Svengali features a noteworthy lineup led by John Barrymore . Supported by the likes of Marian Marsh and Donald Crisp , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Svengali (1931) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Svengali
Quick Plot Summary: Svengali is a Drama, Horror, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Svengali
Ending Breakdown: Svengali concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Svengali reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Svengali?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Top Cast: Svengali
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Where to Watch Svengali Online?
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CultpixSvengali Parents Guide & Age Rating
1931 AdvisoryWondering about Svengali age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Svengali is 81 minutes (1h 21m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.1/10, and global collection metrics, Svengali stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1931 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Svengali worth watching?
Svengali is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Svengali parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Svengali identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Svengali?
The total duration of Svengali is 81 minutes, which is approximately 1h 21m long.
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Critic Reviews for Svengali
John Barrymore is super as the eponymous mystic composer who entrances "Trilby" (Marian Marsh) after she comes to his studio with a desire to be a star; and a tendency to have headaches. Soon his avarice is evident as he ruthlessly exploits his charge (despite/because of his unrequited love for her) - to attain fame and fortune. The story tells the rise and fall tale cleverly, and pacily - with some great contributions from the wily Donald Crisp as the tight-fisted but generous spirited "Laird" and Luis Alberni as his long suffering violinist "Gecko". Dewy-eyed Bramwell Fletcher as "Little Billee" is less convincing as her true love, but this is a great partial-adaptation of George Du Maurier's late 19th century tale of ambition, love and power.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
