Am a big fan of period dramas and older films, have been from an early age, and for a while (though not as long a time admittedly) have strongly appreciated silent films. Many classic ones out there, the best of FW Murnau's work and early Fritz Lang being strong examples. Have a lot more to see of DW Griffith's work, but from what has been seen of his he is/was a fascinating director and one can see why he was such a prolific director in his day.
'Orphans of the Storm' really does send up a storm and is one of Griffith's best, most ambitious, most visually beautiful, most emotional and most interesting films. 'Orphans of the Storm' is a long film, perhaps a little too much so, but is nonetheless very compelling and emotionally investable. With the best visuals of the film being truly spectacular for a silent film and for any film for that matter. On the whole, it is not a film to be missed if one can help it, or at least if silent films, period dramas and films based in the terrifying French Revolution era fascinates you.
To this day, 'Orphans of the Storm' still looks fantastic, those sets and costumes are a wonder to behold and the photography is beautiful to look at, not stagy and quite inventive for so early on. The interpolated score doesn't overpower the drama or feel too low key. Some may consider the film too sentimental, for me it was incredibly moving with more than one memorable sequence (the spectacularly stirring crowd action and the walk to the guillotine).
It also captures the terror of the Revolution (a terrifying period for France) brilliantly, for example even thinking about that inhumane execution method the guillotine is enough to give me the shivers. Griffith's direction is adept and he draws heartfelt performances from Dorothy and Lillian Gish, particularly Lillian who tells so much with her amazingly expressive face and eyes and a beautifully understated one from Joseph Schildkraut. Interesting to see pre-'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' Lucille LaVerne.
By all means, 'Orphans of the Storm' is not a perfect film. There are some comedic moments here and there and they do not gel with the rest of the film and are very unsubtle.
Monte Blue also takes histrionics too far.
Concluding, truly great and more a flawed near-masterpiece. A Griffith essential. 9/10
'Orphans of the Storm' really does send up a storm and is one of Griffith's best, most ambitious, most visually beautiful, most emotional and most interesting films. 'Orphans of the Storm' is a long film, perhaps a little too much so, but is nonetheless very compelling and emotionally investable. With the best visuals of the film being truly spectacular for a silent film and for any film for that matter. On the whole, it is not a film to be missed if one can help it, or at least if silent films, period dramas and films based in the terrifying French Revolution era fascinates you.
To this day, 'Orphans of the Storm' still looks fantastic, those sets and costumes are a wonder to behold and the photography is beautiful to look at, not stagy and quite inventive for so early on. The interpolated score doesn't overpower the drama or feel too low key. Some may consider the film too sentimental, for me it was incredibly moving with more than one memorable sequence (the spectacularly stirring crowd action and the walk to the guillotine).
It also captures the terror of the Revolution (a terrifying period for France) brilliantly, for example even thinking about that inhumane execution method the guillotine is enough to give me the shivers. Griffith's direction is adept and he draws heartfelt performances from Dorothy and Lillian Gish, particularly Lillian who tells so much with her amazingly expressive face and eyes and a beautifully understated one from Joseph Schildkraut. Interesting to see pre-'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' Lucille LaVerne.
By all means, 'Orphans of the Storm' is not a perfect film. There are some comedic moments here and there and they do not gel with the rest of the film and are very unsubtle.
Monte Blue also takes histrionics too far.
Concluding, truly great and more a flawed near-masterpiece. A Griffith essential. 9/10