Svengali (DVD)

John Barrymore is Svengali, the teacher and virtuoso who seduces and destroys young women with his hypnotic powers. He sets his evil gaze upon the beautiful young artist's model, Trilby. Powerless to resist the wicked maestro's control, Trilby abandons her noble young lover and flees with her new master who forces her to become his bride. Svengali transforms her into an international singing star, first bringing the couple acclaim and wealth, but leading to a rapid descent into depravity, horror and damnation.

This 1931 Warner Bros. classic is noteworthy for its expressionistic sets and camerawork and Barrymore's mesmerizing performance. Based on the novel Trilby by George Du Maurier, this film popularized the term "a Svengali," (roughly translated - evil mentor.)

• drama