Greatest Movies of the Silent Film Era

The Silent Film Era ran from 1895 to 1929. As its name suggests, the period is marked by stories without no synchronized dialogue or sound. Silent films transmitted dialogue through muted gestures, title cards and mime. Silent films happened because of technical challenges, as technology was not advanced yet to combine motion pictures with recorded sound.

Given the lack of sound and dialogue, silent film actors had to rely on facial expression and body language to impart to the audience whatever they were feeling or portraying.  To signal a mood or show a time of the day, silent films frequently used various shades and hues. For instance, blue was used to represent night scenes while yellow represented day. Red was for fire while green represented a mysterious environment. Most movie houses, however, hired pianists and organists to provide musical background and emphasize certain narratives on the screen. Some even hired live actors and narrators.

While often misconceived as being primitive, silent movies were quite special in their own right. We list down some of the best movies of the long forgotten silent film era.

Un Chien Andalou (1929)

Considered as the ultimate surrealist film, Un Chien Andalou is a masterpiece by Spanish director Luis Bunuel and artist Salvador Dali. The movie has no plot, with its chronology disjointed, jumping from one scene to another.  One of the most unforgettable scenes of the silent film era happens in this movie, that of an eyeball being slit open.

Greed (1924)

Greed is based on the novel McTeague and follows the story of a dentist who wins a lottery but becomes too consumed for money. The original film was 9 hours long but was cut down to four hours.  Cineastes consider the uncut version of the movie as a holy grail of movie archivists, with a lot of people claiming to have discovered the missing footage.

Metropolis (1927)

Considered as the forerunner of the modern sci-fi movie, this movie had all the ingredients of sci-fi staples like Star Wars and Blade Runner. The plot is set in a futuristic city and takes a look at the social problems between owners and workers in a capitalist society. It is also one of the last films that adopted German expressionism.

City Lights (1931)

Charlie Chaplin is considered  as the most iconic actor of the silent film era, and this list would not be complete without a movie from Chaplin. In this movie, Chaplin is charmed by a blind salesgirl who believes he is  a rich man. Wanting to keep her interest, Chaplin tries to raise enough money to support a costly operation to restore the girl’s eyesight. Many film historians believe the ending of the movie is one of the most memorable in film history.

The Passion of Joan Arc

The movie depicts the last few hours of the French heroine and saint Joan of Arc. It is one of the first movies to use close-ups and do away with make-up. The lead actress, Renée Jeanne Falconetti, is also considered to have the best depiction of Joan of Arc in movie history.

The Sheik – 1921 Silent Movie

The Sheik is considered one of the epic films of the silent movie era. The story is based on a bestselling romantic novel of the same name written by Edith Hull. The film was produced by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and directed by George Melford. In the movie, Rudolph Valentino stars as Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan, and Agnes Ayres is Lady Diana Mayo. The other actors are Ruth Miller, George Waggner, Frank Butler, Charles Brinley, Lucien Littlefield, Adolphe Menjou, and Walter Long.

The movie starts with Lady Diana Mayo refusing a proposal of marriage, as she wants to be independent. She secretly plans to travel to the desert unescorted, for a month. When Diana visits a local casino, she is no permitted entry as a sheik is holding a party. She is annoyed but is also curious at the same time, and disguises herself as a dancer to gain entrance. To her dismay, she finds inside that Arabs are gambling to win wives, and she is chosen as one of the prizes. In the commotion that ensues, Sheik Hassan intervenes, finds the dancer to be a white woman, and is quite amused. He was in fact hired to escort her the next day into the desert. The Sheik is intrigued by Diana, and without her knowing enters her room and removes the bullets from her revolver.

Next day Diana rides out alone into the desert and the Sheik and his men kidnap her, and bring her to their encampment where she is ordered around by the Sheik. He makes her follow the Arab customs and does not allow her to be dressed as a westerner. Diana attempts to escape, and is nearly killed, but the Sheik manages to save her, and wants her to love him. During this time, the Sheik is visited by his doctor friend from Paris, Raoul Hubert. Diana is shocked to be before a westerner in Arab clothing, and Raoul reprimands the Sheik for his callous treatment of Diana, which makes him return her western clothing. Later when a man is injured, Diana is concerned that it might be the Sheik, and hearing this Sheik is happy, returns her revolver, and allows her to enter the desert.

Diana tries another escape and tries to join a caravan, which is actually belonging to Omair, who is a bandit. However, the Sheik again rescues her, and tells his friend Raoul that he is love with her. Omair then captures Diana and tries to force himself on her, but is saved by the Sheik again. However, in the fight, the Sheik is seriously injured, and Diana starts to take care of him. She also comes to know that Hassan is not an Arab by birth, but was born to western parents. When the Sheik recovers, Diana confesses that she loves him.

The Sheik was made on a grand scale in the actual desert with numerous cast members riding on camels. The presence of Rudolph Valentino made it even more appealing, as he was a heartthrob of the times and the movie was a huge success. Even though the storyline is typical of the silent movie era, it is still appreciated by movie buffs.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – 1921 Silent Movie

The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse is a silent movie of 1921, based on the novel of the same name written by Vicente Blasco Ibanez. This movie was the top grosser in 1921, overcoming even “The Kid” by Charlie Chaplin. It went on to be ranked sixth in the best grossing silent movie category of all time. This silent movie brought about the craze in tango dancing and started the fashion fad of gaucho pants.

The movie stars Rudolph Valentino, Alice Terry, Pomeroy Cannon, Wallace Beery, and Joseph Swickard. Direction is by Rex Ingram and the movie was produced by Metro Pictures Corporation. The story is inspired by events of World War I but fictional, and considered the first film taking a stand against war.

The story revolves around Julio played by Rudolph Valentino. He is the classic Latin lover and the favorite grandson of a rich Argentine landowner Madariaga (played by Pomeroy Cannon). The two often end up in drunken merrymaking at bars, and in one such bar, Julio performs the famous tango dance with a woman, which is highly appreciated by the crowd. Shortly afterwards, Madariaga dies and the family breaks up, with Julio ending up in Paris living a carefree life, but has become quite a sensation at dances.

Julio falls for Marguerite Laurier (played by Alice Terry) the young wife of his father’s friend. Their affair is discovered by Marguerite’s husband Etienne, however he agrees for a divorce. All seems great for the couple to marry, but World War I suddenly erupts and plans are put on hold. The war makes Marguerite into a nurse, while her husband Etienne becomes blind in battle. Etienne is attended by Marguerite in the hospital, and at that time Julio comes there. Julio, who up to this time had shirked the uniform, now feels ashamed, and sees the specter of the four horsemen comprising of death, famine, conquest and war. These happenings prompt Julio to join the French Army.

Meanwhile the German Army has captured the castle of Marcelo, who is Julio’s father. A German nephew of Marcelo tries to protect him, but Marcelo is scheduled for execution. However, Marcelo is saved just in time by the counterattack of the French army. Julio’s stint in the army has made him popular, and he is known for his bravery. However, he is eventually killed by his German cousin in the battlefield. Meantime in Paris Marguerite is thinking of abandoning blind Etienne, but she is visited by the ghost of Julio, who advises her to continue her care for her husband. The movie ends with families mourning for their dead, and shows a grim spectacle of the devastation of war.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse became very popular movie at that time. Even though it was dwelling on a heavy theme of destiny and fate, the main attraction was Rudolph Valentino doing the forbidden tango and his portrayal of a Latin lover. This movie shot him to fame and people still remember him for the tango.

The Last of the Mohicans Movie – 1920 and 1992

The Last of the Mohicans movie is the adaptation of the famous novel by James Fenimore Cooper of the same name. This adventure film was first made in 1920 as a silent movie, and later there were many versions, with the latest being the 1992 version. The Last of the Mohicans is considered an epic film with strong historical significance and has been a favorite theme for movie makers since the first silent movie version.

The Last of the Mohicans (1920 Silent Movie) 

The 1920 silent movie version is still considered a classic and is almost the exact adaptation of Cooper’s novel. The movie stars Barbara Bedford, Wallace Berry, Lillian Hall, Alan Roscoe, James Gordon, Henry Woodward, Nelson McDowell, Jack McDonald, Sydney Deane, and Theodore Lorch. It is directed by Clarence Brown and Maurice Tourneur; however, Clarence Brown finished most of the job, as Maurice was ill for most part of the movie. The setting of the movie is the Canadian wars of the 18th century between the English and French. The Mohican Indians Chicgachgook and Uncas owe their loyalty to the English, whereas Magua a Huron Indian is with the French. The story revolves around the adventure of two English girls who are trying to get to their father who is commandeering a fort.

The main action in the movie is the massacre scenes at the fort, which is shown in quite graphic detail, including babies being bayoneted. The emotional climax of the daughter of the fort commander trying to commit suicide by jumping of the cliff, rather than be a victim of villainous Magua, lends a thrilling twist to this adventure movie. Even though this silent movie was shot in 1920, people still find it quite gripping and thrilling.

The Last of the Mohicans Movie (1992)

The latest version of the movie made in 1992 is more of a romantic version and is only based in parts on the original Cooper’s novel. The source material is actually the screenplay of the 1936 movie. The screenplay is written by Phillip Dunne, Michael Mann, Christopher Crowe, and direction is by Michael Mann. The main cast includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May and Wes Studi as the villain Magua. The story revolves round the two English sisters who are rescued by Hawkeye (adopted son of Chingachgook) from Huron Indians and taken to the British Fort. However, the fort ultimately falls to the French, and the villainous Huron Indian Magua massacres the people in the fort.

The movie although not staying on course with the original story, is quite well made, given the present techniques. It is quite long, lasting one hour and fifty-four minutes, but it is kept entertaining throughout. The attention to detail and staging the movie on a grand scale has its effect on the audience. However, the authenticity to the original plot is compromised and the movie runs more like a romantic fantasy. It lacks the historical effect that was achieved by the original movie.

The Most Popular Silent Movie Stars

Certain silent movie stars are hard to forget, even though the era of silent movie making has long gone. Here are some of the best stars of the silent movies.

Charlie Chaplin

The name of Charlie Chaplin and silent movies is almost taken synonymously. Even people who do not know the existence of silent movies are aware of this timeless comedian in his shabby suit and classic bowler hat. In 1915, The Tramp made a huge impact in the silent film comedy category. Previously, comedy movies of the silent era were limited to slapstick and cartoonish acting, but Charlie Chaplin changed it all. He introduced pathos and emotions with comedy, which was quite a feat when the movie is silent. His acting and timing was unparalleled in movie history, and even though many have tried to copy his style even in talkies, nobody has come close. His other noteworthy movies were The Kid and Modern Times, which made quite an impact on the audiences.

Conrad Veidt

Conrad Veidt was a star of early cinema in Germany, and shot to fame in 1920 for his role in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. In this movie, he played Cesare, who is a murdering somnambulist. He was also known for his roles in other popular German silent movies such as “Waxworks” of 1924, and “Different from the Others”, which was made in 1919. Veidt also appeared in the very first German talkies in 1929 called Bride 68. Even though he was a German, he was against the Nazis, and ran away to Britain when Adolf Hitler came to power, and became a British citizen. His most famous role in talkies was in the classic movie Casablanca of 1942, where he played Strasser, a Gestapo Major.

Mary Pickford

Mary Pickford was born in Canada in 1892, as Gladys Marie Smith to actor parents. She was naturally talented and soon her mother introduced her to stage at the age of six. After acting in many plays, Mary entered the silent movie world at the age of 16 in 1909, when she played the part of Dorothy in the movie Mrs. Jones Entertains. The year 1909 was a very busy year for Mary as she did 51 movies in that year. The next year she acted in 49 films, and soon became America’s sweetheart. Some of the notable films during this period were In the Border States, In Old Kentucky, and A Feud in the Kentucky Hills. When Mary was 20 she starred in Pollyanna and Suds, which were quite popular. In 1920, she also helped to establish the famous studio, United Artists Pictures, which made many great films, before being bought over by MGM.

John Barrymore

John Barrymore was a legendary star who made his first stage appearance when he was 18 in his father’s production. He became a major star in Broadway productions like The Fortune Hunter in 1909, and from then on acted frequently in many films. His debut on screen was considered An American Citizen in 1914, but records of many lost films indicated that he would have worked in films since 1912. He often liked to work under heavy makeup to portray characters of horror and degradation. Once the talkies started, he used to play many romantic leads, and did several great character roles as well.