The biggest interest point for me seeing 'Four Sons' was John Ford, a truly fine director and a versatile one, doing many films in many different genres. Including from personal opinion the definitive director of the Western genre. Also really liked the subject matter and appreciate silent film hugely, the positive reception to the film also helped. Even if there was the potential trap of it being too melodramatic and over-emotive, though actually it sounded very emotional.
'Four Sons' turned out to be exactly that. While it may not be one of the great director's very best or most iconic films (am most familiar with his films from the 40s and 50s decades), it is one of his best early ones and one of not many to be properly great. 'Four Sons' overcomes all the potential limitations that silent film can have that have eluded quite a few films around this time and to me it was definitely more genuinely emotional than it was overly melodramatic.
Very, very little wrong, though the brothers' reunion on the battlefield did seem too much of a too much by chance coincidence.
However, 'Four Sons' is incredibly well made. Ford's films always did look great, namely in his Westerns with how the photography captured those majestic locations. Even for so early on there is nothing primitive looking here, it is beautifully and atmospherically filmed and really admired the attention to detail in the setting. The farewell to wife scene is one of the standouts of particularly well shot scenes. The music is haunting and has an emotional but not overwrought edge.
Moreover, Ford directs with ease and doesn't seem uncomfortable or uninterested. 'Four Sons' is incredibly moving, of all my recent first time viewings this is easily in the top 3 films that made me weep the most. Hankies and tissues are absolutely needed for the heart-breaking climax, though there is emotional impact throughout without it getting too heavy. The film is always compelling with not a dull stretch.
All the acting is more than fine, Margaret Mann's performance is an affecting powerhouse and should have gotten some award consideration.
Summing up, great. 9/10
'Four Sons' turned out to be exactly that. While it may not be one of the great director's very best or most iconic films (am most familiar with his films from the 40s and 50s decades), it is one of his best early ones and one of not many to be properly great. 'Four Sons' overcomes all the potential limitations that silent film can have that have eluded quite a few films around this time and to me it was definitely more genuinely emotional than it was overly melodramatic.
Very, very little wrong, though the brothers' reunion on the battlefield did seem too much of a too much by chance coincidence.
However, 'Four Sons' is incredibly well made. Ford's films always did look great, namely in his Westerns with how the photography captured those majestic locations. Even for so early on there is nothing primitive looking here, it is beautifully and atmospherically filmed and really admired the attention to detail in the setting. The farewell to wife scene is one of the standouts of particularly well shot scenes. The music is haunting and has an emotional but not overwrought edge.
Moreover, Ford directs with ease and doesn't seem uncomfortable or uninterested. 'Four Sons' is incredibly moving, of all my recent first time viewings this is easily in the top 3 films that made me weep the most. Hankies and tissues are absolutely needed for the heart-breaking climax, though there is emotional impact throughout without it getting too heavy. The film is always compelling with not a dull stretch.
All the acting is more than fine, Margaret Mann's performance is an affecting powerhouse and should have gotten some award consideration.
Summing up, great. 9/10