Men of Steel (1926 film)

Men of Steel is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Milton Sills, Doris Kenyon, and Charles Murray. The film focuses on the lives of steelworkers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, particularly the relationship between a stern and demanding foreman and his sensitive, artistic son.

The film explores themes of industrial labor, generational conflict, and the societal pressures faced by individuals within a rapidly industrializing America. The plot revolves around Bill, the foreman, who pushes his son Jan to follow in his footsteps and become a steelworker, despite Jan's artistic inclinations. This creates tension and misunderstanding between father and son.

Men of Steel is notable for its gritty realism in portraying the dangerous and arduous work of steelworkers. Von Sternberg employed innovative techniques, including location shooting at actual steel mills, to capture the intensity and scale of the industrial environment. This approach aimed to provide an authentic depiction of the lives and struggles of these laborers.

While not considered one of von Sternberg's most famous works, Men of Steel is recognized as an early example of his developing visual style and his interest in exploring complex characters within challenging social contexts. The film's focus on the American working class also distinguishes it within the broader cinematic landscape of the 1920s. The film is now considered lost.