Greed

Main Plot

"Greed," directed by Erich von Stroheim, is a silent film that delves into the destructive power of avarice. The story follows John McTeague, a simple dentist in San Francisco, who marries Trina Sieppe after she wins a lottery. The couple's initial happiness is overshadowed by Trina's obsessive hoarding of her winnings, leading to a downward spiral. McTeague's friend, Marcus Schouler, who introduced him to Trina, becomes envious and vindictive, feeling cheated out of the lottery fortune. As greed consumes each character, their relationships deteriorate, culminating in betrayal, violence, and tragedy. The film is a stark exploration of how the lust for wealth can corrupt and destroy lives, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America.

Characters

• Gibson Gowland plays John McTeague, a dentist whose life spirals into obsession and tragedy after his wife wins a lottery, leading to greed and betrayal.
• Zasu Pitts plays Trina Sieppe, whose lottery win leads to greed, jealousy, and tragedy, driving the film's central conflict and character transformations.
• Jean Hersholt played Marcus Schouler, a pivotal character whose betrayal and greed lead to the tragic downfall of his friend, McTeague.

Ending Explained

The movie "Greed," directed by Erich von Stroheim, concludes with a dramatic and tragic ending that encapsulates the destructive power of avarice. The film's climax occurs in Death Valley, where the protagonist, John McTeague, and his former friend, Marcus Schouler, engage in a brutal confrontation over a fortune in gold. McTeague, who has descended into desperation and madness, kills Marcus in a fierce struggle. However, in his dying moments, Marcus manages to handcuff himself to McTeague, leaving McTeague trapped in the unforgiving desert with no means of escape. The final scenes depict McTeague alone, surrounded by the vast, desolate landscape, with the dead body of Marcus still shackled to him. The film ends on a bleak note, emphasizing the futility and ruin brought about by greed. The stark, unrelenting environment of Death Valley serves as a powerful metaphor for the barren and destructive nature of McTeague's obsession with wealth, ultimately leading to his isolation and inevitable demise.