Dull, but elaborate
Expensive silent film of a king who is marked for assassination. He switches identities with a look alike (both played by Lewis Stone) who takes his place at his coronation. But the real king is kidnapped. While his followers try to find him, the fake king falls in love with Princess Flava (Alice Terry).
Slow moving but the film looks great. No action...just lots of exagerrated looks and people endlessly talking. The sets, costumes and acting helps. Seeing Stone (who went on to play Judge Hardy in the Andy Hardy movies) so young and being a romantic lead is interesting. He's also very good. Terry is regal and also very good as the princess. Ramon Novarro (still an unknown) plays the evil villain. That's quite a shock--he always played heroes in his later films. He pulls it off though.
So, it's beautiful but I can't totally recommend it.
Slow moving but the film looks great. No action...just lots of exagerrated looks and people endlessly talking. The sets, costumes and acting helps. Seeing Stone (who went on to play Judge Hardy in the Andy Hardy movies) so young and being a romantic lead is interesting. He's also very good. Terry is regal and also very good as the princess. Ramon Novarro (still an unknown) plays the evil villain. That's quite a shock--he always played heroes in his later films. He pulls it off though.
So, it's beautiful but I can't totally recommend it.
- preppy-3
- 7 oct 2002