The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921)

An extended family split up in France and Germany find themselves on opposing sides of the battlefield during World War I.

Director:

Rex Ingram

Writers:

Vicente Blasco Ibáñez (novel), June Mathis (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Pomeroy Cannon, Josef Swickard, Rudolph Valentino

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pomeroy Cannon	...	Madariaga
Josef Swickard	...	Marcelo Desnoyers
Bridgetta Clark	...	Doña Luisa
Rudolph Valentino	...	Julio Desnoyers
Virginia Warwick	...	Chichí
Alan Hale	...	Karl von Hartrott
Mabel Van Buren	...	Elena
Stuart Holmes	...	Otto von Hartrott
John St. Polis	...	Etienne Laurier (as John Sainpolis)
Alice Terry	...	Marguerite Laurier
Mark Fenton	...	Senator Lacour
Derek Ghent	...	René Lacour
Nigel De Brulier	...	Tchernoff (as Nigel de Brulier)
Bowditch M. Turner	...	Argensola (as Brodwitch Turner)
Edward Connelly	...	Lodgekeeper

Storyline

An extended family split up in France and Germany find themselves on opposing sides of the battlefield during World War I.

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Plot Keywords:

infidelity | firing squad | wealth | nationalism | duty | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Release Date:

31 March 1923 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Die vier Reiter der Apokalypse

Filming Locations:

Gilmore Ranch, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$9,200,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min 132 min (Turner library print) (1993 alternate)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rudolph Valentino's first starring role in a film. He had been an extra and done bit parts since his debut in 1914.

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Quotes

Dona Luisa: Is it not enough to lead my son into wild ways without teaching my daughter the tango?
Madriaga: Will you have the boy grow up like those glass-eyed, carrot-topped sharks of your sister's?

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Connections

Version of Debout les morts! (1916)

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Soundtracks

"Apocalypse Theme"
(1993)
Music by Carl Davis
Based on the Fantasia Sonata "Après une Lecture de Dante" by Franz Liszt (1849)
In the score of the 1993 alternate version

User Reviews

An Early Epic

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, released in 1921, is so well made that it overcomes the enormous obstacles of technology. The story is of epic proportions. Set immediately before World War I, it deals with a rich Argentine family, one branch recently arrived from France, the other from Germany. After the death of the patriarch each branch returns to their respective homelands as Europe slides into war. Deep, rich subplots abound, with much time spent on the adulterous affair of the indolent French grandson (Valentino) with the young married wife of an older businessman. Quite a surprising treatment of such mature subject matter.

Made when the wounds of WWI were still open and sore, the film's themes are grim and dripping with overt religiosity. But this is what The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is all about, the horror of war, and the redemption of man through personal sacrifice.

An excellent film, recommended highly.