But at the head of the pack is the latest of technologies from scanning to digital clean-up, color and overall production.
Add new scores and a virtual cornucopia of extras, and you’ve got what will bring one of the stand-out silent film releases of 2025.
I don’t have four hours necessary to view these films, and a similar situation for the extras, but right from the start, you’re hit with some of the most beautifully rendered and dramatic two-color Technicolor that I’ve ever seen.
By 1927, Mr. DeMille had been making films for 13 years, beginning with The Squaw Man in 1913. In the intervening years he made over 80 films!
Some programmers, some interesting productions, and some quite extraordinary in any number of ways. At the top of his craft, he used every technical as device available to him, including tints, tones, hand coloring, Handschiegl (aka Paramount Color) and two color Technicolor.
Originally released in April of 1927, and then re-issued in 1931 with a soundtrack, it was one of the last great silent films, before that art form disappeared in 1929.
Flicker Alley, along with Lobster Films and Blackhawk, have created an incredibly produced package,with the help of UCLA Film & Television Archive and George Eastman Museum.
Even if this was just a run of the mill silent release, you know I’d ask you to purchase a copy to support the preservation and restoration of silent films – but this is not the case here.
I’m asking for your support because this is a tremendous release that deserves your attention.
Among the extras are an audio commentary from Marc Wanamaker, a selection of two scores for the re-issue version.
The main score for the roadshow is fully orchestral by Robert Israel based upon the 1928 Riesenfeld original.
Magnificent!
Image
Forensic – 7-10
NSD – 8-10
Audio – n/a
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors – Yes
Worth your attention – Yes!
Slipcover rating – n/a
Looks like Film – Yes
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
Post Disclaimer
Some of our content may contain marketing links, which means we will receive a commission for purchases made via those links. In our editorial content, these affiliate links appear automatically, and our editorial teams are not influenced by our affiliate partnerships. We work with several providers (currently Skimlinks and Amazon) to manage our affiliate relationships. You can find out more about their services by visiting their sites.
Similar threads