In spite of the technical originality that studs the works, and of the brilliance of Emil Jannings's acting, the film never carries the spectator away.

[Jannings's] impersonation of, or rather his mingling with, the character of the old porter, is solid, various, touching to a degree one had not thought possible, and makes even the best moments of Charlie Chaplin seem little heavy and self-conscious.

Karl Freund's ground-breaking and historically important cinematography can still take the breath away.

Besides being groundbreaking on a technical level, this movie is just a powerful reminder to be kind to people and that we’re more than our jobs.