Lorna Doone

I've seen 4 versions of this story and this silent classic starring John Bowers and Madge Bellamy is by far the best, much more poignant than the modern A+E version!

The action is great, the romantic characters obtain your sympathy immediately, and the cinematography for a 1922 film is outstanding. This must have been a real epic in its day.

One chilling aspect of this film is the fact that when we first meet the adult John Bowers in his role as John the shepherd boy he is fighting for his life, trying to save himself from drowning in rough waters. Later we see him deliberately jumping over a waterfall into the same waters below. One wonders whether this film gave John Bowers the idea that drowning was the way to go, since he committed suicide by drowning. The character of Norman Maine in three versions of A Star Is Born is based on poor John Bowers. He was so handsome in this film, and quite a good actor. It is too bad that someone couldn't have reached out to him and given him some acting jobs once talkies came in; they might have saved his life.

Cineasts jaded and cynical as I might be surprised by the enjoyable nature of this recently restored silent film -- the decision to watch spurred more by the interest in seeing otherwise forgotten John Bowers whose suicide has punctuated many a Hollywood allegory. Imagine my thrill, then, at seeing an overlooked treasure that, while certainly not a classic, demonstrates many of the long unappreciated qualities of early filmmaking.

Filled as it is with the wild gesticulations, grimaces and posturing that define early films, "Doone" also has excellent direction, a swift pace that only occasionally lags, and good performances by the cast. One can easily understand Bowers' rapid rise to fame (making his suicide all the more difficult to understand) with his brooding presence and oddly-handsome face that stands antithetical to the "pretty boys" who were his contemporaries.

If one can overlook the oddities in this film that are a natural part of such early films (the overuse of makeup, the odd lapses in continuity) "Lorna Doone" will certainly hold one's interest as a seldom seem tale that deserves more attention than it has received.

Continuing with a short Herr Maurice Tourneur film programme at the Schloss theatre and due to the fact that these are modern and strange times and in accordance with this and having in mind the aristocratic conservatism, it is always better and safer to invest in silent secure stocks and forget those risky and changeable talkie shares. For that reason it is always an excellent investment to watch any Herr Maurice Tourneur silent film.

"Lorna Doone" (1922) is another excellent work of the French director that belongs to his American period. The story is set in old Britain and is an interesting international Saxon mixture based on a famous and classic oeuvre written by Herr Richard Doddridge Blackmore, a novel that obviously this German count hasn't read because the first edition didn't include any illustrations.

But fortunately Herr Tourneur's silent film adaptation of that book provides plenty of illustrations that often resemble paintings. They film compositions are evocative, dramatic and beautiful, the kind of visuals for which the French director is well-known and they are perfectly done with a strong sense of background helped greatly by Herr Henry Sharp's sharp cinematography. Herr Tourneur's direction and the cinematography, combined with the superb art direction that is characteristic of the French director makes for a dramatic exercise in romanticism.

Although it is a short sequence at the beginning of the film, the first meeting as children between Lorna and John, is especially beautiful and remarkable and a perfect excuse for this German aristocrat to commend the delicacy and mastery that Herr Tourneur always demonstrates when he directs children ( those evil little creatures ); it is not a very easy task to try to dominate those miniature demons and achieve good and natural performances while avoiding insipidness or too obvious acting. The magic innocence and mystery of childhood is a usual subject in many Herr Tourneur films. It is a hard job but the French director always triumphs when he explores that primal and fascinating early age.

Besides the film has plenty of action, one of those classical adventure films full of wicked bandits who do wrongs that must be righted not to mention a larger than life love story that defies conventionalism or social class differences; that is to say, an immortal historical romantic drama.

All the merits of "Lorna Doone" can be appreciated nowadays thanks to the excellent film work restoration by the youngsters at "Kino", a superb effort available in one of those modern discs that the longhaired likes so much and it includes a beautiful and delicate score composed and arranged by Dame Mari Lijima .

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must keep away the Doones from the Schloss surroundings.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/

Several scenes in Maurice Tourneur-directed October 1922's "Lorna Doone" has lead actor John Bowers almost drowning in a raging river and eliminating his opponent in a bog full of water. Some have suggested the water images in the 1922 film was fixated on the actor's subconscious in his struggles to secure acting roles in the new age of sound movies.

His old friend, Henry Hathaway, was directing 1936's 'Souls of the Sea' in and around Santa Catalina Island. The star of "Lorna Doone," who hadn't any significant role in any film since 1931, hopped on a rented 16-foot slope and sailed to the island to ask for a part in the picture. Unfortunately, the role had been filled. Despondent and at the end of his rope, Bowers, it was reported, simply walked into the ocean and was never seen alive again. Some have attributed Bowers' struggle with his movie career and the method of his death as an inspiration for 1937's 'A Star Is Born's' Norman Maine.

Today's viewer can witness the talent of actor Bowers as the hero in the 1922 version of Richard Blackmore's 1869 novel "Lorna Doone." This was the third incarnation of the 17th-century English tale of a family, the bad-boys Doone's, where one member kills Bower character's father. As a boy he stumbles upon youthful Lorna Doone, played by Madge Bellamy, and later rescues her. Throughout it all, Bowers is seen navigating through raging rivers and being swept over waterfalls. And water plays a crucial role towards the end, a scene where some attribute the actor to chose the method to end his life.

Tourneur had been noted as one of the best aesthetically inclined director in his time. Every frame of "Lorna Doone," it's said, can be hung up on a wall as a picture of art. Studios claimed he sacrificed the beauty of the scene for the pace of his films, concentrating on the look of his movies instead of its action. As one reviewer wrote, "the most beautiful movies are often also the slowest."

There have been five other 'Lorna Doone' movies adapted from the Blackmore novel after Tourneur's picture. But those familiar with the more modern versions claim there is none more pleasing to the eye than the 1922 picture.

Lorna is a wealthy young girl who meets and loves a shepherd boy, John. After meeting him she is captured by the evil Lord Doone. Doone is softened by fatherly love for Lorna but raises her in his den of thieves. She grows into lovely womanhood, sweet and untouched by the violence around her. One day, John returns. They recognize each other and fall in love all over again. Doone's counselor wants his son to marry Lorna. He is a violent man, hated by Lorna. She spurns his proposal. He tries to force her but she is rescued by John. Doone dies during the rescue but rights his wrong and sees that Lorna returns to Society. John lets her go but follows her. Will she be the same, sweet girl or a spoiled society lady? The future holds betrayal, revenge and perhaps even murder. This movie had me on the edge of my seat. I loved it! Madge Bellamy portrays such sweetness and beauty. I didn't care too much for the score as it's pretty modern in some spots. I'd highly recommend it: 9/10.