Name: Tannhäuser
Director: Lucius Henderson
Released: 1913

Tannhäuser

1913 · Thanhouser Company · Dir. Lucius Henderson

Dramatic three-reel film based on Wagner's opera of chivalry and spiritual struggle. Wandering minstrel Tannhauser wins the heart of Elizabeth, niece of the powerful Landgrave. Later, under the spell of Venus and her nymphs, Tannhauser passes into Venusberg, a netherworld of earthly pleasures. Returning to the Landgrave's court, he praises Venus in song and sparks the righteous anger of all present. His own prayers and those of Elizabeth free him from enchantment and he takes up the habit of a monk, devoting himself to God. He sets off to seek absolution in Rome while Elizabeth waits at court, ever weakening in his absence.

Confidence

100

Why this status applies

This 1913 three-reel production by the Thanhouser Film Corporation is based on the Richard Wagner opera. As a film published in the United States prior to January 1, 1928, it is definitively in the public domain under current U.S. copyright law (the 'pre-1928' rule). The maximum copyright term for any work published in 1913 was 75 years (28-year initial term + 47-year renewal term) under the 1976 Act, expiring at the end of 1988 if it had been renewed. However, even if it had been renewed, it would have entered the public domain regardless by 2009. Under the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, all works published before 1923 have already entered the public domain, and as of 2024, the public domain cutoff has reached works published in 1928.

Why this status applies

Supporting facts