Intense
This was my first silent film and it was beyond entertaining. For a film without dialogue, this was full of dramatic tension perhaps more than most films I've seen. The plot is basically about the most insufferable woman and how she cheats on her husband and then cheats on the guy she originally cheated with.
The themes were of friendship, infidelity and melodrama (if that can be regarded as a theme at all). I found the presentation of Leo and Ulrich's friendship so lovely since it seemed so genuine without any awkwardness. I feel as though modern cinema depicts male friendships with such restriction in fear that it might accidentally imply a romantic relationship so this was refreshing. The infidelity was crazy because how do you cheat multiple times and expect forgiveness and love each and every time. Felicitas was genuinely so delusional and insane for not telling Leo about her marriage and then attempting to ruin his friendship. I suppose it does make sense though given that she is meant to be the "devil" in question. There's also this scene where Hertha's praying and Felicitas is driven mad almost as though it was to show an exorcism-like response to the prayer further establishing her character as the devil.
The characters were primarily defined by their desires and the web of relationships it created. The consequences of desire are also explored but it vaguely seems like a biblical narrative in the sense that Felicitas dies by the end of the movie and the friendship that was "sacred" lives on forever. Almost like the pastor's wishes for Leo ended up coming true. This can be viewed as slightly questionable given how all order is restored once the female lead dies but people's beliefs were widely different in 1926 so perhaps my commentary is invalid.
The editing was funny given that it wasn't really evolved at the time of the release date and I found John Gilbert's acting style to be interesting given that Jack Conrad's character (Babylon) is primarily based on him and the producer Irv was also a character explored in the film.Overall, a valid watch.
Intense
This was my first silent film and it was beyond entertaining. For a film without dialogue, this was full of dramatic tension perhaps more than most films I've seen. The plot is basically about the most insufferable woman and how she cheats on her husband and then cheats on the guy she originally cheated with.
The themes were of friendship, infidelity and melodrama (if that can be regarded as a theme at all). I found the presentation of Leo and Ulrich's friendship so lovely since it seemed so genuine without any awkwardness. I feel as though modern cinema depicts male friendships with such restriction in fear that it might accidentally imply a romantic relationship so this was refreshing. The infidelity was crazy because how do you cheat multiple times and expect forgiveness and love each and every time. Felicitas was genuinely so delusional and insane for not telling Leo about her marriage and then attempting to ruin his friendship. I suppose it does make sense though given that she is meant to be the "devil" in question. There's also this scene where Hertha's praying and Felicitas is driven mad almost as though it was to show an exorcism-like response to the prayer further establishing her character as the devil.
The characters were primarily defined by their desires and the web of relationships it created. The consequences of desire are also explored but it vaguely seems like a biblical narrative in the sense that Felicitas dies by the end of the movie and the friendship that was "sacred" lives on forever. Almost like the pastor's wishes for Leo ended up coming true. This can be viewed as slightly questionable given how all order is restored once the female lead dies but people's beliefs were widely different in 1926 so perhaps my commentary is invalid.
The editing was funny given that it wasn't really evolved at the time of the release date and I found John Gilbert's acting style to be interesting given that Jack Conrad's character (Babylon) is primarily based on him and the producer Irv was also a character explored in the film.Overall, a valid watch.
