A young impoverished aristocrat falls in love with an inn-keeper's daughter (Fay Wray), but has to marry money.
As was often the case with films directed by Stroheim, the film's accuracy resulted in high expenses and production value. Stroheim rebuilt huge sets for St. Stephen's Cathedral, the streets surrounding it, various palatial rooms and an entire apple orchard with thousands of blossoms individually tied to the trees. Stroheim defended his elaborate set choices by stating "They say I give them sewers — and dead cats! This time I am giving them beauty. Beauty — and apple blossoms! More than they can stand!" Shooting began in June 1926 and lasted until Stroheim was finally shut down by Powers in January 1927. A reporter allowed onto the film's set reported Stroheim's perfectionism and indifference to time and money, and stated that Stroheim once told his cast and crew that if necessary they would film 24,000 takes of a scene until they got it right.
You have to respect this level of dedication, but it was poorly reviewed and I suspect rightfully so. Although now considered a classic and preserved by the Library of Congress, it is aged and not one of the more entertaining films of the era. For me, it is enjoyable to see Fay Wray, and I wish she had become a bigger star. Why is she only known as the King Kong girl? I suspect different copies exist. The one I saw was not in the best condition, and I have to believe a better one exists. This might make the scenery look better and more impressive. I don't know, and I have no intention of returning to this film any time soon.
As was often the case with films directed by Stroheim, the film's accuracy resulted in high expenses and production value. Stroheim rebuilt huge sets for St. Stephen's Cathedral, the streets surrounding it, various palatial rooms and an entire apple orchard with thousands of blossoms individually tied to the trees. Stroheim defended his elaborate set choices by stating "They say I give them sewers — and dead cats! This time I am giving them beauty. Beauty — and apple blossoms! More than they can stand!" Shooting began in June 1926 and lasted until Stroheim was finally shut down by Powers in January 1927. A reporter allowed onto the film's set reported Stroheim's perfectionism and indifference to time and money, and stated that Stroheim once told his cast and crew that if necessary they would film 24,000 takes of a scene until they got it right.
You have to respect this level of dedication, but it was poorly reviewed and I suspect rightfully so. Although now considered a classic and preserved by the Library of Congress, it is aged and not one of the more entertaining films of the era. For me, it is enjoyable to see Fay Wray, and I wish she had become a bigger star. Why is she only known as the King Kong girl? I suspect different copies exist. The one I saw was not in the best condition, and I have to believe a better one exists. This might make the scenery look better and more impressive. I don't know, and I have no intention of returning to this film any time soon.