A Waltz by Strauss (1925 film)

A Waltz by Strauss is a 1925 British silent historical drama film directed by Graham Cutts and starring Betty Balfour, Edmund Gwenn, and Benita Hume. The film is a fictionalized account of the life and career of the famous Austrian composer Johann Strauss II, focusing particularly on his romantic entanglements and the challenges he faced in pursuing his musical ambitions.

The film was produced by Gainsborough Pictures and is noted for its lavish production values, characteristic of British cinema of the era. While the film enjoyed some success upon its initial release, few prints survived. It is now considered a partially lost film, with some footage known to exist in archives.

The plot revolves around the young Johann Strauss's struggle to establish himself as a composer in Vienna, competing with his more established father, also named Johann Strauss (Johann Strauss I). Romantic subplots involve his relationships with various women, adding dramatic flair to the narrative.

A Waltz by Strauss reflects the popular fascination with historical romances and biographical dramas during the silent film era, allowing audiences to glimpse a romanticized version of the life of a famous composer. The film's historical accuracy is questionable, leaning more towards entertainment than scholarly depiction.