On the Brink of Paradise
On the Brink of Paradise (German: Auf den Trümmern des Paradieses, translated as "On the Ruins of Paradise") is a 1920 German silent adventure film directed by Josef Stein. It stars Carl de Vogt as Kara Ben Nemsi and is based on part of the 1892 Karl May novel Von Bagdad nach Stambul.
There has been debate over whether Bela Lugosi appeared in a small uncredited role, but this is disputed. The film is now considered lost and runs about 90 minutes.
Production details: produced by Marie Luise Droop, Fritz Knevels, and Adolf Droop; written by Erwin Baron and Marie Luise Droop; cinematography by Josif Rona. It was produced by Ustad-Film and distributed by Filmhaus Bruckmann and Co.
A sequel, Caravan of Death (1920), continues the story and features Lugosi co-starring as a sheik.
Plot: Kara Ben Nemsi and his servant Halef Omar encounter Persians headed to Baghdad, led by Prince Hassan Ardžir-Mírza. The Persians are attacked by their enemies, the Kurds. The prince learns there is a traitor among his people. Kara Ben Nemsi offers to help guard the caravan on its journey to Baghdad.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:16 (CET).