Beyond the Rocks (1922)

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Such a frustrating disappointment

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

This silent film, "Beyond the Rocks" was made in 1922. It was believed to have been lost forever, as films of that era were made out of a nitrate that disintegrated over time. Film makers of that time made a lot of pictures, and movie audiences simply moved on to the next film. No one thought anyone would care about these gems; fortunately this one was found. The film stars two of the most popular actors of the silent era: Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino. The story centers around a penniless young girl; she is married off to a much older man (Josiah Brown) so she can provide for her family financially. Enter a handsome aristocrat (Valentino) who is smitten with the now very wealthy Swanson. The two are very attracted to each other. She resists, torn between duty to her husband and her love for the younger man. Despite his love for her, Valentino tries to be a gentleman, and he is never inappropriate with her. Her husband gets wind of the attraction, and the rest of the story is heartbreaking. The quality of this film is quite good; there are a few rough patches, but overall the color tints used are outstanding. It is a lavishly produced film, complete with amazing set designs, and Swanson is decked out in sumptuous fashions. The film itself was probably considered average for its time. However,it is quite a treat to see both Valentino and Swanson at the peak of their youth and good looks. I love silent films and Turner Classic Movies for bringing them to us!

Though famous for re-coining "It" as a code word for sex appeal, this piece of romantic slush is more typical of Elinor Glyn's output. Gloria Swanson marries a rich old fart to save her family from ruin, but falls hard for dashing aristo/playboy Rudolph Valentino. A jealous old flame swaps letters Swanson has written to her husband & her putative lover (she's going to do the right thing, whew!) and in a fit of renunciation, her portly spouse goes off on a Sahara expedition (!) knowing that his life will be in jeopardy. Gloria & Rudy give chase, arriving just in time to get the dying man's blessing. Sam Wood helms efficiently, but brings out the ham in everyone, esp. Rudy, and this famous 'lost' pic only proves the axiom about disappointing discoveries. The newly commissioned background score also disappoints though the picture restoration is largely a success.

Romantic melodrama starring Gloria Swanson as the devoted daughter to a cash-strapped captain. Swanson agrees to marriage with a fat, old, social-climbing grocery tycoon, but on her disappointing honeymoon she falls in love with a young British aristocrat (Rudolph Valentino). The powerhouse combination of director Sam Wood with arguably the two best actors in the romantic silent melodrama genre delivers an engaging and touching story.How you react to any film depends on your expectations, so it seems that people seeing all the hype about the significance of the recent reclamation of the film were expecting too much. Going in with no expectations, I was enthralled by how really touching an old-fashioned love story can be when the characters do virtually nothing more than exchange glances and graze each other's hands. The attention to detail in the wardrobe, the exotic locations, and the dreamy depiction of British aristocracy in the early 20th Century, make this a must-see for fans of the genre.

Viewing this Classic film from the 1920's was fascinating and especially viewing Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino both in the same picture was very unusual in films during the Silent Era. Rudolph Valentino was the heart throb of all the young girls and ladies and Gloria Swanson was very petite and cute looking and had a certain spark to her acting skills. Rudolph Valentino,(Lord Bracondale), played the playboy which he was in real life and gave an outstanding performance trying to win the heart and soul of Gloria Swanson,(Theodora Fitzgerald). Theodora was married to an old man with a beer barrel belly and very rich, but he did deeply love Theodora and would do anything to make her very happy. This is a rare picture that was lost and restored in the Netherlands. If you like Classic Silent films and great film stars, this is the film for you.