THE GAUCHO is the oddest and most elusive film in the Fairbanks filmography. It's as exotic and swashbuckly as his other big 20s pictures, but with a decided difference. This is just as much a religious film as an adventure story, and depending on your outlook, this is either a refreshing shake-up or an obnoxious intrusion on the proceedings.
I didn't mind it too much, as much as I don't care for kitschy presentations of religion complete with sanctimonious priests and doe-eyed miracle workers in perpetual Virgin Mother cosplay. At the very least, the religious themes tie into the Gaucho's character arc as he goes from being a selfish, merciless outlaw to a more compassionate and thoughtful hero. Fairbanks sells the transformation well-- this might be the most emotionally rich of his 1920s films even.
Production-wise, the sets and costumes are gorgeous, a dream of a mythical South America in which adventure and miracles lurk in plain sight. I also just realized that Fairbanks' big action scenes and clever moments (such as how he "escapes" from his cell in the climactic scene) remind me a lot of similar moments in silent comedies from the period. You're just as impressed by the hero's smarts and resourcefulness as you are by his physical daring.
Another impressive element: Lupe Velez. She is Fairbanks' perfect match, just as spunky and smart. I so wish he had used leading ladies in her mold more often rather than the demure damsels he so often employed. The spark between the two actors is very electric-- Fairbanks hated doing love scenes, but here he takes them on with relish, exuding a kinky sexuality that takes the breath away.
All in all, this is a great underseen film. Such a shame it isn't more widely available.
I didn't mind it too much, as much as I don't care for kitschy presentations of religion complete with sanctimonious priests and doe-eyed miracle workers in perpetual Virgin Mother cosplay. At the very least, the religious themes tie into the Gaucho's character arc as he goes from being a selfish, merciless outlaw to a more compassionate and thoughtful hero. Fairbanks sells the transformation well-- this might be the most emotionally rich of his 1920s films even.
Production-wise, the sets and costumes are gorgeous, a dream of a mythical South America in which adventure and miracles lurk in plain sight. I also just realized that Fairbanks' big action scenes and clever moments (such as how he "escapes" from his cell in the climactic scene) remind me a lot of similar moments in silent comedies from the period. You're just as impressed by the hero's smarts and resourcefulness as you are by his physical daring.
Another impressive element: Lupe Velez. She is Fairbanks' perfect match, just as spunky and smart. I so wish he had used leading ladies in her mold more often rather than the demure damsels he so often employed. The spark between the two actors is very electric-- Fairbanks hated doing love scenes, but here he takes them on with relish, exuding a kinky sexuality that takes the breath away.
All in all, this is a great underseen film. Such a shame it isn't more widely available.