Copyright 11 February 1922 by Universal. New York opening at the Central: 11 January 1922. 10 reels. (A 10/10 Kino DV).
COMMENT: Kino's superb restoration of this million dollar drama of a trio of Russian con artists who fasten on the newly appointed U.S. ambassador and his wife in a most extravagant and elaborate studio-reconstructed Monte Carlo, is must viewing even for non-Stroheim fans.
Complete with Sig Romberg's original score and gorgeously tinted photography, the movie holds viewers spellbound from first to last, partly due to the unusual story and its twisted characters and partly due to the drive, yet fastidious attention to detail, of von Stroheim's direction.
Needless to say, the von, meticulously attired from polished boots to rakish cap, has seen to it that he is nearly always the center of interest; but Miss DuPont has some great moments as the wife of the title, and Rudolph Christians (in his last film - he died of pneumonia on 7 February 1921) impresses as the naïve but finally open-eyed spouse.
COMMENT: Kino's superb restoration of this million dollar drama of a trio of Russian con artists who fasten on the newly appointed U.S. ambassador and his wife in a most extravagant and elaborate studio-reconstructed Monte Carlo, is must viewing even for non-Stroheim fans.
Complete with Sig Romberg's original score and gorgeously tinted photography, the movie holds viewers spellbound from first to last, partly due to the unusual story and its twisted characters and partly due to the drive, yet fastidious attention to detail, of von Stroheim's direction.
Needless to say, the von, meticulously attired from polished boots to rakish cap, has seen to it that he is nearly always the center of interest; but Miss DuPont has some great moments as the wife of the title, and Rudolph Christians (in his last film - he died of pneumonia on 7 February 1921) impresses as the naïve but finally open-eyed spouse.