Item #: 12121 Category: SILENT Format: VHS MPAA Rating: U

Woolly Rating: 5/10 (107 votes)

MEMBER COMMENTS ON THIS VIDEO

jd	Jun 2, 2004 @ 18:58:50

<[:-} the quick-lime was a nice touch
this 1914 silent horror film from d.w. griffith explores the ancient conflict between love and duty, and the corrupting influence of popular culture. an orphan is adopted and doted on by his uncle, who plies an unnamed profession that involves a lot of books. uncle expects the spoiled brat, now a young man, to show his gratitude and work, but nephew would rather read edgar allan poe and gallivant with his air-headed fiancee, who wants all his time and attention. after reading "the tell-tale heart" he pretty much re-enacts it. unintentional humor is spiked with unexpected, horrific touches like nephew shoveling quick-lime to conceal the anticipated stench of rotting uncle. giggle-worthy, cheesy ghost uncle double exposures and satyr and elf costumes are mixed with nifty demons and skeletons. horrific insect on insect (and, to be anal, arachnid on insect) footage may well have inspired the opening to "blue velvet." transposing the action to the hills of kentucky and introducing the criminal character of "the italian" and his hill-folk posse vs. "detectives," who are obviously supposed to be pinkerton's, adds entertainment value. nephew's elaborate escape plans, which include armed guards, a fortified out-building, a repeating rifle, a signal whistle, a trapdoor, and a tunnel, show the influence griffith had on fellow kentuckian tod browning, who would employ similarly elaborate criminal schemes in his movies. "the mystery of the leaping fish," included as an extra on "the gaucho" dvd, is a cerebral anyeurism inducing 1916 writing collaboration between griffith and browning that really deserves more attention from the fans of extreme cinema.

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a genius reality check 4 our race we may live in the white mans land & call it hme bt in doing that we deny the truth of our being. All brown skin people nomatta hw light r african rayalty ... (lady swirl)