The original cut of this film ran to nine hours, but was cut to death for its premiere to about three, and later to its current length of about two and a half. At this length it's plot, which covers decades, whips by like a fighter jet, with character development taking second place. It is easy to see how the longer running time would help us understand how the female lead, played without a trace of sympathetic intent by Zasu Pitts, slowly developed from a generous and loving young woman to a miserly divorcee. As it is, we only get to see glimpses of the process, and they pass by far too quickly.
The full nine hour version lasted until about 1960, when it was sold for scrap.
One particularly good cinematic device is the metaphor using a pair of lovebirds to represent the couple. The birds are allowed the free range of the emotions the characters feel, while the characters themselves are remarkably restrained - rare in a film of this era.
Put aside 2 1/2 hours to watch it someday. It will go by like half an hour.
The full nine hour version lasted until about 1960, when it was sold for scrap.
One particularly good cinematic device is the metaphor using a pair of lovebirds to represent the couple. The birds are allowed the free range of the emotions the characters feel, while the characters themselves are remarkably restrained - rare in a film of this era.
Put aside 2 1/2 hours to watch it someday. It will go by like half an hour.