The Rose of Stamboul (1919 film)

The Rose of Stamboul is a 1919 German silent film directed by Felix Basch and Arthur Wellin. It is based on the operetta Die Rose von Stambul by Leo Fall. The film is categorized as a romance and adventure, and it was a popular success in its time.

The story revolves around a young English woman who is promised in marriage to a man she has never met, a wealthy and powerful Pasha in Turkey. She travels to Stamboul (Istanbul) and, encountering the Pasha, falls in love with him, unaware of his true identity. The plot explores themes of cultural clash, arranged marriage, and the discovery of true love. Key plot points involve mistaken identities and dramatic revelations before the eventual romantic resolution.

The film starred Fritzi Massary and Ernst Lubitsch. While the film itself is considered lost, contemporary reviews and accounts suggest a lavish production with exotic sets and costumes, typical of silent cinema’s portrayal of foreign locales. The film contributed to Ernst Lubitsch’s early reputation for directing sophisticated and visually appealing romantic comedies, though his involvement was primarily as an actor in this instance.