For anyone who thinks silent movies are dated and dull, have a look at this film from 1926 with Lillian Gish and Lars Hanson. The Scarlet Letter is a drama that still resonates with modern audiences because it depicts the good and the innocent being persecuted by the tyranny of mob justice. In this case, the majority in a New England town violates the dignity and freedom of individuals to enforce a strict moral code. The world of the Puritans in the early American Colonies was rigid and often unforgiving and for those whose lives strayed, stern retribution was the result.
Silent stars had to be great actors to convey emotion without words...the eyes, the expression and body language along with brilliant sets and crowd scenes. This film has these qualities as well as crisp captions to tell the story. I found both Lillian Gish and Lars Hanson convincing in their roles as the ill-starred lovers in a time when people seemed to put great stock on enforcing codes of conduct at the expense of transgressors. The expressions on faces in the crowd scenes showed the hearts of stone that would humiliate anyone who crossed the lines.
Movies like this one gave 1920's audiences a lesson to reflect upon in a world that was still quite harsh in its own customs and morals. I am no expert on silent films but the few I have seen convey great feelings and emotion. They are a separate category from modern cinema and involve audiences more directly. This view was reinforced for me by the recent movie The Artist. The Scarlet Letter is a brilliant example of the silent movie era.
Silent stars had to be great actors to convey emotion without words...the eyes, the expression and body language along with brilliant sets and crowd scenes. This film has these qualities as well as crisp captions to tell the story. I found both Lillian Gish and Lars Hanson convincing in their roles as the ill-starred lovers in a time when people seemed to put great stock on enforcing codes of conduct at the expense of transgressors. The expressions on faces in the crowd scenes showed the hearts of stone that would humiliate anyone who crossed the lines.
Movies like this one gave 1920's audiences a lesson to reflect upon in a world that was still quite harsh in its own customs and morals. I am no expert on silent films but the few I have seen convey great feelings and emotion. They are a separate category from modern cinema and involve audiences more directly. This view was reinforced for me by the recent movie The Artist. The Scarlet Letter is a brilliant example of the silent movie era.