not as good as all the hype

A Major Disappointment

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

At this silent point, it is not necessary to explain who were Dame Gloria Swanson and Herr Rudolph Valentino, two silent icons both well known and recognizable for anyone interested in the silent era or even afterwards. Both silent stars worked together in only one film, "Beyond The Rocks" directed by Herr Sam Wood during the silent year of 1922. It was considered lost for many decades until miraculously a nitrate emerged from darkness and was carefully restored by suitable curators at the "Filmmuseum". Obviously the interest in watching such an important silent couple in that film was enormous after so many years, but this German count finds the film's artistic merits noteworthy as well.The words elegance and discretion best describe the tone of the film.It is the story of a larger than life love between Dame Theodora Fitzgerald ( Gloria Swanson ) and Lord Hector Bracondale ( Rudolph Valentino ). Theodora is married to Captain Fitzgerald ( Alec B. Francis ) but it's a matter of economics not love as the match was a way of giving financial support to her family, namely her father and her two older sisters.The passion Lord Hector and Theodora feel for each other is depicted in a well mannered, discreet but at the same time, passionate way; a restricted love that must be suffered in silence in order to avoid a scandal and consequently put at risk the financial support of Dame Fitzgerald's family. This is a hidden love that must wait for better times in order to be consummated.Such restrained passion is due to decency and the social convention that such affairs not be public; after all adultery is a delicate subject for couples from all social classes, not to mention that 80 years ago it was even more complicated to depict adultery on the silent screen due to censorship. Immoral conduct although older than recorded history and practiced for centuries, cannot be justified even in an artistic way according to the censors of that day.So Herr Sam Wood's direction is perfect; he maintains the slow tempo and the frustrations "in crescendo" of such inappropriate love sufferings of the couple. This gives the film the perfect mood, sometimes stilted but at the same time lovely and decadent, helped by the convincing performances of both silent stars, glamorous Dame Swanson and charming Her Valentino.Sometimes, watching the film, this Herr Von was on the verge of losing his temper and said out loud at the Schloss screen: "both of you are young, handsome and rich, so what are you waiting for to commit adultery, for Gott's sake??!!"…, a logical aristocratic reaction. Fortunately Dame Fitzgerald and Herr Bracondale knew pretty well that it is much better to suppress basic aristocratic instincts and wait and suffer properly in order to finally get their longed for reward, or as they say in the film, wait until they have "passed the rocks and be finally in the safe waters beyond".And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must drink a cocktail on the rocks.Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/

This movie astounded me. Something of this age should probably be tedious or dull, but not once did I feel bored -- quite the opposite in fact. It really touched me deeply and as someone who isn't such a huge fan of romance or silent films, that's saying something. Then again, my experience in silent films is limited mostly to Lassie, some western, and Fatty Arbuckle comedies. I suppose this is a sign that I should watch more.Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino had such amazing chemistry. The tragic love between Theodora and Hector is so palpable. But it isn't just the young lovers who shine in their roles. Robert Bolder as Josiah Brown was deeply affecting in his acting. Originally, we are less than sympathetic to Josiah and that is how it's supposed to be! But Josiah is so much deeper than he first appears: a man we initially mistook for a villain of sorts is as sensitive and caring as the woman he loves. His sympathy towards the Egyptian girl shows us that he sees himself as we had seen first seen him and at the same time proves to us that he is not the man we had mistaken him for. It was an oddly noble part from what was believed to be a very ignoble character and that alone made the film all the more sweeter.His death and his blessing for Theodora and Hector come in the same swift moment. It is a very powerful scene and even as we know he has died, we still sit on edge, hoping against hope and knowing it's not so. His death enables his beloved Theodora to find the happiness she had given up on. I don't mean to offend fans of contemporary film when I say this, but I haven't felt so touched by a character death in years.The musical composition also lends its part into making this a masterpiece. The lilting, almost haunting tune that guides us through the events of this film sets a mood that is undeniably seductive to us all. It pulls you in and moves you to the edge of your seat with the suspense it evokes. It deepens the experience so much, despite the clashing setting of 1920s England.Although I do not consider the sections of the film where it is so dissolved with age and tear to be bad, there are other things that make me hold back from the full ten stars. Gloria Swanson in particular is much too made up even when portraying a young girl. She is far more prettier than the heavily made-up portrayal of Theodora. I felt the attempt to make her look girlish was practically unbearable and her true beauty was dulled under a layer of the dark black. The shame! The text was also a bit of a mistake in my opinion. It felt far too modern and never fit in with the film itself. Times New Roman or another font would have suited better.Still a great movie and even suitable for younger viewers.

Viewing this Classic film from the 1920's was fascinating and especially viewing Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino both in the same picture was very unusual in films during the Silent Era. Rudolph Valentino was the heart throb of all the young girls and ladies and Gloria Swanson was very petite and cute looking and had a certain spark to her acting skills. Rudolph Valentino,(Lord Bracondale), played the playboy which he was in real life and gave an outstanding performance trying to win the heart and soul of Gloria Swanson,(Theodora Fitzgerald). Theodora was married to an old man with a beer barrel belly and very rich, but he did deeply love Theodora and would do anything to make her very happy. This is a rare picture that was lost and restored in the Netherlands. If you like Classic Silent films and great film stars, this is the film for you.

Despite an earlier poster's view that the soundtrack was at times "too contemporary sounding," I would argue that the track brings this film up-to-date, without sacrificing its initial intent.The more modern track (and I'm a traditionalist in all things...) pulled me in and made me watch this film with new eyes. The "original" music used on many silents is clearly one of the things which immediately dates them and makes them seem old and, to some people, silly. With fresher music, it is easier to watch the performances and not get caught up in the sound, which obviously predominates in silents...Ron