Sadie Thompson DVD

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directed by: Raoul Walsh

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Customer Reviews
Average Rating: Rating: - The restored silent film version of Maugham's classic story This 1928 silent film directed by Raoul Walsh was the first film version of Somerset Maugham's classic novella about a San Francisco prostitute and a moralistic missionary on the South Sea island of Pago-Pago. Gloria Swanson plays the sultry Sadie Thompson and Lionel Barrymore is the religious fanatic Alfred Davidson. Walsh, who also plays Tim the Marine Sergeant, did the screenplay, which was adopted from John Colton's play "Rain," based on Maugham's story; what is important is that the controversial story is not compromised in the making of this film. "Sadie Thompson" certainly qualifies as a landmark silent film, but for many years the last scenes were missing from the only existing print. In this video the ending has been carefully restored by Dennis Doros using still photographs and new title cards to at least give us a sense of the original conclusion. Swanson was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as the title character, but Barrymore's performance is a bit hammy. The film also features art direction by William Cameron Menzies and was filmed on Catalina Island. Still, the overall effect is quiet enthralling in this film that surely must have helped inspired the Hays Code. I still prefer the 1932 version of "Rain" with Joan Crawford and Walter Huston, but this silent versin is still first-rate. Rating: - excellent film "Sadie Thompson" is a brillant film that reflects one of gloria swanson's finest moments. Gloria Swanson portrays a woman of easy virtue, and for that time period, it was a very controversial film. Gloria Swanson's superb acting and clean viewing, for that type of story line, makes this movie a time piece of excellence. There is some strong language seen through her lip movements, but only if you look very closely. Overall it comes across very strongly and passionately with its drama of bodily movements which makes this type of film a masterpiece. Inspite of the distorted damage to the film from throughout the years, Sadie Thompson was restored enough to please the eye and the added orchestra sound makes this film a pleasure to have. I strongly recommend this film. Rating: - Gloria's greatest role. This movie is stunning! I'm new to silent movies and recently "discovered" Gloria's silent films on DVD having only known her as the tragic star in the 1950 movie Sunset Boulevard - but I believe she gives the performance of her career in this film. I love her as Sadie. The movie is incredibly atmospheric and filled with ravishing close ups of Gloria. Her scenes are very well played - genuinely touching and funny and wonderfully sexy. Gloria really lives this part and you'll find yourself rooting for her character throughout. She also produced this movie and apparently really had to fight to get it made - the story was considered very daring in its day. The restoration by KINO is fine though some scenes show bad damage (never longer than a few seconds at a time and such moments are few and far between)and though the dramatic ending is marred by the use of film stills (the final scenes of the sole print are apparently lost forever) it can't diminish the overall power and impact of the movie. Everything else about the film is just too good - the sets, acting, camerawork are all superb - the story dated but still packing a real dramatic punch. Silent movie fans should lap this up - it's a real treat.

Sadie Thompson DVD

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