Scaramouche (1923)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Rex Ingram

Writers:

Rafael Sabatini (novel)
Willis Goldbeck (scenario)

Release Date:

February 1924 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A law student becomes an outlaw French revolutionary when he decides to avenge the unjust killing of his friend...

Plot Keywords:

Law Student | Napoleon Bonaparte | Nobility | Duel | Theatrical Troupe

Cast

Lloyd Ingraham	...	Quintin de Kercadiou
Alice Terry	...	Aline de Kercadiou, Quintin's Neice
Ramon Novarro	...	André-Louis Moreau, Quintin's Godson
Lewis Stone	...	The Marquis de la Tour d'Azyr
Julia Swayne Gordon	...	The Countess Thérèse de Plougastel
William Humphrey	...	The Chevalier de Chabrillone
Otto Matieson	...	Philippe de Vilmorin (as Otto Matiesen)
George Siegmann	...	George Jacques Danton (as George Siegman)
Bowditch M. Turner	...	Le Chapelier (as Bowditch Turner)
James A. Marcus	...	Challefau Binet (as James Marcus)
Edith Allen	...	Mlle. Climène Binet
John George	...	Polichinelle
Willard Lee Hall	...	The King's Lieutenant
Rose Dione	...	La Révolte

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

USA:Passed

Filming Locations:

Ren-Mar Studios - 846 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Metro Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

An army of workmen built a whole French village that covered 60 acres and was faithfully reproduced down to cobblestone streets and shop windows filled with actual wares. Hundreds of thousands of yards of muslin, satin, brocade and velvet were required in the making of the gorgeous costumes worn by the cast.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Sherlock Jr. (1924)

Excellent Adaptation of Sabatini's Great Novel

This 1923 adaptation of a mid-1921 novel is one of the most faithful-to-the-original screenplays I have ever seen. Granted, large blocks of the book are omitted or greatly condensed, but who wants a 20-hour movie? The basic story line is retained and well developed.

The cinematography is superb, and the print we saw on cable was sharp and clear. It shows there is no excuse for the foggy, low-contrast prints we see in so many of the early thirties films. The sets, costumes, performances, and overall production are outstanding for any era. The silent film has been provided with a fine score, and even with its limitations is infinitely superior to the 1952 so-called "remake," which is virtually no relation to the book.

The two-hour-plus production moves along briskly (with perhaps a few too many minutes of the final mob scenes) and is exciting. Suspense is maintained very well, though my wife anticipated the ending. It was hard to keep my previous knowledge of the plot to myself.

I loved this production and give it an enthusiastic and unqualified 10.