The Last Night (1917): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1917, The Last Night is a drama film directed by Jenö Janovics, running about 40 minutes.

What it’s about. Gitta, a young woman who used to be a famous primadonna before her marriage, abandons her husband and her son for the sake of the theatre and goes to Russia with an actor, Vándori. She performs in cabaret as a dancer and is very popular with Russian officers. A Russian colonel falls in love with her, and the debauched Vándori organizes a secret date for the colonel with Gitta. The colonel wants the woman to become his mistress, but she rejects him. Vándori is a gambler, first he gambles away Gitta’s jewellery, then Gitta as well. Years later, at the outbreak of WWI, Gitta leaves Russia with the help of the colonel. She returns home to find her family. She learns about her husband’s death and her son’s disappearance. She becomes a successful actress. A young man falls in love with her, but she recognizes him as her son.

Who’s in it. The Last Night stars József Berky as Néger táncos, Lili Berky as Gitta, Mihály Fekete as Vándori and Elemér Hetényi as Orosz tiszt, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Last Night page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Last Night tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.