While I am a huge classic movie fan, I have had trouble getting into silent films. Beyond The Rocks is the first silent movie that I have watched from beginning to end.
I was attracted to this movie because of the stars (Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino) and the fact that this film was lost until just a few years ago.
I really enjoyed this movie and found myself quickly drawn into the story. I was even making up dialogue to go along with the story playing out on the screen.
This story was a bit melodramatic and the worst of this was Josiah's insanely corny death scene. (When Josiah grasped the hands of Theodora and Hector and then joined them together my eyeballs nearly rolled out of my head.)
Despite the melodrama, the story was appealing to me and the sets and costumes were wonderful.
I also enjoyed all of the performances. Besides Valentino and Swanson, I was particularly drawn to Alec B. Francis in the role of Theodora's father.
My main quibble with this movie (like others have mentioned) is the sound effects in the score. I understand why they put them in (to appeal to modern audiences) but I found them completely distracting. They were unnecessary and took away from the movie.
I also found Swanson's make up and costume in some scenes to be distracting. In some scenes she looked much older than Valentino (she was actually a few years younger). Granted, I have not seen a lot of 1920's movies, so this just may be my ignorance showing.
All in all, I really enjoyed this movie and plan to seek out other silent films now that I know they can hold my attention.
I was attracted to this movie because of the stars (Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino) and the fact that this film was lost until just a few years ago.
I really enjoyed this movie and found myself quickly drawn into the story. I was even making up dialogue to go along with the story playing out on the screen.
This story was a bit melodramatic and the worst of this was Josiah's insanely corny death scene. (When Josiah grasped the hands of Theodora and Hector and then joined them together my eyeballs nearly rolled out of my head.)
Despite the melodrama, the story was appealing to me and the sets and costumes were wonderful.
I also enjoyed all of the performances. Besides Valentino and Swanson, I was particularly drawn to Alec B. Francis in the role of Theodora's father.
My main quibble with this movie (like others have mentioned) is the sound effects in the score. I understand why they put them in (to appeal to modern audiences) but I found them completely distracting. They were unnecessary and took away from the movie.
I also found Swanson's make up and costume in some scenes to be distracting. In some scenes she looked much older than Valentino (she was actually a few years younger). Granted, I have not seen a lot of 1920's movies, so this just may be my ignorance showing.
All in all, I really enjoyed this movie and plan to seek out other silent films now that I know they can hold my attention.