Beyond the Rocks (1922)

mesmerising

The re-discovery of 'Beyond the Rocks' after 80 years is described as 'A Cause for Celebration!' by Martin Scorsese on the DVD packaging. And I couldn't agree more. When I read in the newspapers that this movie had been found after so many years I couldn't wait to see it. I've watched it several times now on DVD and it has lived up to everything I hoped or imagined it would be. Most reviewers here on Amazon.com seem to agree that the re-discovery and restoration of the film is terrific, the DVD package with extras a real treat, but some seem to feel disappointment with the film itself. Alas, for some it would seem that nothing less than absolute perfection would ever be enough. I think they have approached this movie with too-high expectations. This is a beautifully performed and well made film, but anyone expecting an all-out classic is going to be disappointed. The loss of this movie has been much lamented over the decades because it starred Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson. A lost movie starring either of these wonderful silent stars would be cause for celebration, but a movie starring them both together! The fact that their star allure still echoes down through the decades made the re-discovery of the film newsworthy in the media. And their presence alone is the reason for the film's fascination. Both Valentino and Swanson give beautiful, subtle performances in what is basically a ridiculous melodrama written by Elinor Glyn. Anyone who has read Elinor Glyn's overheated 1910's novel 'Three Weeks' or who is familiar with Glyn's history in Hollywood in the '20s, will know what to expect from plot. However, like I said, the attraction here is Valentino and Swanson. And how lucky we are to have the opportuninty at all to watch these two performers together. Swanson shines - what beautiful eyes this woman had - her fashions reflect the best and worst of 1922 styles. She appears ravishing in slinky evening dress and the epitome of high camp in a Parisian cafe scene. Valentino's beauty is no less alluring in contemporary clothing (for Valentino fans this is a special treat and attraction - we are so used to watching him dressed as sheik, or toreador). There are moments in this movie where I get goosebumps - where the chemistry between these two stars is so palpable. This is a film about yearning - sexual tension - and its all there on the screen in Valentino's and Swanson's performances. The new score for the movie is very pleasing - the score often makes or breaks a silent film experience. I don't like anything too contemporary, but at the same time old fashioned organ scores are equally horrible for most modern viewers. This is a lovely score that has been written for the movie with care and thought. After 'Beyond the Rocks', both Valentino and Swanson would go on to make better movies and give better performances. But what a magical treat this movie proves for silent film fans. November 25, 2007

Glad it was rediscovered - but not a great movie

I'm glad this movie was found - glad it was restored - glad to have seen it - but wish I'd enjoyed it more...

Considering I've seen so many silent movies, I was actually surprised to realize this was the first time I'd seen either a Rudolf Valentino OR a Gloria Swanson(silent) movie! That said, I found Rudolf Valentino good in this, and Gloria Swanson... well... pretty average. She wasn't terrible - but there are other actresses who were better... prettier... Was even surprised to see she was as stocky as she was. Not to sound shallow, but I watched the movie wondering "Why was she a star?" What drew people to Gloria Swanson, over some of the others? Studio press?

The movie... The restoration is very impressive. There's one particular point in the movie (the shot of the train), where the film looks like it's disintegrating right before your eyes. Glad they kept this footage in (it only lasts a few seconds, so don't get alarmed), as it makes you realize just how fragile silent movies are. The contrast is crisp - the footage clear. Costumes are great. A lot of the acting is also very good. Gertrude Astor (played Morella) was wonderful, I thought. She was so good - in a minor role - that I looked her up on imdb.com to see what else she'd done. (I was amazed that she'd appeared in over 200 movies - with almost ALL of them appearing as "UNCREDITED".) I was sure she must've turned in some powerhouse performance somewhere along the way...

The soundtrack... Glad an alternate soundtrack is included (one without the sound effects). The sound effects bothered me alot - but did not bother my partner at all. (In fact, he said he enjoyed the effects.) Problem with this (for me, anyway) is that - even though I'd rather see the movie without the effects - I don't think I want to sit through this movie a second time, to even hear the alternate soundtrack.

Other pluses: Two other actors - Alec Francis & Robert Bolder - turn in nice performances. Bolder, especially, making a potentially laughable ending a touching one, instead.

So... When is THE BIG PARADE ever coming out on DVD???????? January 29, 2007

Swanson's Plea is Answered!

It isn't everyday that a silent movie with two wildly popular stars is found. What is even more exciting is that the movie is actually good, and that its DVD release is excellent.

Beyond the Rocks is a moody melodrama about a poor girl named Theodora (Gloria Swanson) who marries for money and position but truly loves another man (Rudolph Valentino). The two eventually reunite and carry on a love affair that seems destined for trouble. The story is trite and typical of writer Elinor Glyn, but the actors carry it well and there are enough exciting locations and small incidents to captivate an audience. The soundtrack is not perfect, and since the one with many sound effects annoyed many people, there is an option to see the film without them. However, the music provides a distinctive mood for the film. It is almost haunting, an appropriate score for a movie that has basically come back from the dead. The picture quality is rather good apart from a few sections which do not detract from the movie. Unfortunately, there is some footage missing including a pageant scene, which one can only imagine was quite steamy. Overall, though, we can watch Beyond the Rocks in delight not only for its existence but also for its quality.

The extra features include a segment about the discovery of the film and a bit about the man who owned it. We get to see film preservationists at work and hear about a real-life eccentric collector. There is also a still gallery, some Valentino film trailers, and a second feature film. A Delicious Little Devil stars Mae Murray as an innocent girl out of work who gets a job in a nightclub impersonating a high-class woman involved in a scandal overseas. Valentino stars as her love interest; he is quite handsome despite all of his makeup. Murray toggles between Pickford-esque innocence to an overdone vamp like Nazimova. The quality of the print is not great. There are many scratches and sometimes the picture is washed out. However, as an additional film, this condition is more acceptable.

In her autobiography, Swanson begged the public to check their closets and attics for copies of her lost films including this one. It is too bad she did not live to see such a discovery, but nonetheless her wish was fulfilled. Let us hope that the publicity garnered by the event will inspire others to check their attics as well. January 16, 2007

Long Lost Silent Film Starring Film Legends Swanson and Valentino Returns From The Dead

Considering the huge percentage of silent films that are lost forever due to neglect and decomposition in the years since sound revolutionised movie making practices it is a miracle when some long lost and long coveted title from the silent era is discovered seemingly rising like a pheonix from the ashes in near pristine condition. Paramount's 1924 melodrama "Beyond the Rocks", has always been a much sought after film title and was believed to be long lost except for one surviving fragment of film a few minutes long. Despite having been officially "lost", for almost 80 years "Beyond the Rocks", has always stirred the imagination of silent film enthusiasts not so much for its dramatic qualities but because of its historic only teaming on screen of film legends Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino. When this film was rediscovered by accident in Holland a few years back there was universal celebrations throughout the film world due to the films miraculous survival after all these years. Thanks to a very careful restoration process it is now a total joy and priviledge to be able to enjoy this memorable film on DVD which until recently would have been thought of as an impossible dream. The discovery of "Beyond the Rocks", is of course also significant for film buffs in that it literally brings back to life another part of the extraordinary body of work of screen legends Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino and allows audiences for the first time in nearly 80 years to witness their legendary talents together for the only time on screen. January 3, 2007

The silent cinema is back

For decades it was thought that Beyond The Rocks, starring Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson, was lost. But it's back and with tons of extras explaining how the film was found, how it was restored and how they even made a new orchestral score. Even a 85 minute recording of Gloria Swanson from 1955 talking about the film business and her life in general. The Delicious Little Devil is a cool, funny, short movie and a delightful extra.
I first saw this film while traveling on a cruise ship in Alaska's Inland Passage. Being set in such beautiful and wonderful setting, watching the film during a slow period between fine dinning and adventurous day trips, sandwiched between the white mountains and the deep waters, the silent treasure really hit me right in a soul already stripped of all defenses. When I found out it was available on DVD I had to buy it.
From London to Paris, from the Swiss Alps to the dangerous Sahara Desert, the film allows the viewers to jump from one part of the world to another
following the romance of the two main characters as they fall in love, fall apart and come back together. Frankly I feel sorry for the old rich husband. He seems to truly love his young wife and ends up killing himself so that the younger couple could be happy. Poor guy, he should have married for money instead of for love. So the moral of the story - marry a gold digger. November 19, 2006

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