wide logo
The Light Ahead poster
1h 34m

The Light Ahead (1939)

Overview

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.
57%
Edgar G. Ulmer profile
Edgar G. Ulmer

Director

Shirley Ulmer profile
Shirley Ulmer

Screenplay

Cast

Helen Beverly profile
Helen Beverly

Hodele (the blind)

David Opatoshu profile
David Opatoshu

Fishke (the lame)

Isidore Cashier profile
Isidore Cashier

Mendele Moicher Sforim

Helen Beverly profile
Helen Beverly

Hodele (the blind)

David Opatoshu profile
David Opatoshu

Fishke (the lame)

Isidore Cashier profile
Isidore Cashier

Mendele Moicher Sforim

Extra

Release Date

June 1, 1939

Original Language

Yiddish

Budget

$0.00

Production Company

Available On

Currently it's not available for streaming.
You can visit JustWatch for more information.

Videos

Currently there are no videos related to this movie/tv show on our database.

Images

Currently there are no images related to this movie/tv show on our database.

Recommendations

title poster
66%
With a Right to Kill
title poster
56%
All Fun and Games
title poster
72%
HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle
title poster
68%
The Way Back
title poster
54%
John and the Hole
title poster
52%
The Last Heretic
title poster
76%
Operation Y and Other Shurik's Adventures
title poster
70%
Kung Fu Panda 4
title poster
53%
Oldies But Goodies