The Bells (1931 film)

The Bells is a 1931 British drama film directed by Harcourt Templeman and Oscar Werndorff and starring Donald Calthrop, Jane Welsh, and Edward Sinclair.

The film was originally released with a film score written by Gustav Holst, the only film score by Holst. The film was based on the play Le Juif Polonais by Alexandre Chatrian and Emile Erckmann, and the English version The Bells by Leopold Lewis.

Mathias (Calthrop), an Alsatian innkeeper, murders a rich Pole staying at his inn. However, Mathias' conscience will not let him rest, and the murdered man's spirit drives the innkeeper nearly mad.

The victim's brother calls for an inquest and brings with him a sideshow hypnotist, who is supposedly able to read minds. Mathias, as burgomaster, is called upon to conduct the inquest, but under the intuitive eye of the hypnotist cannot resist torment of his own conscience.

This film is now considered a lost film. Imogen Holst wrote that the film score is also lost.