Ernst Lubitsch's Eternal Love dvd movie.|
Ernst Lubitsch's Eternal Love buy bestselling dvd movies, videos find reviews, ratings, prices |
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List Price: $29.99 Features • Black & White • DVD-Video • Silent • NTSC In Theaters : 11 May, 1929 DVD Release : 24 April, 2001 |
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| ♥♥♥♥♥ | A highlight for both Lubitsch and Barrymore |
| Although the title might suggest an over-sentimental or fairytale-style love story, "Eternal Love" is actually quite a powerful and realistic drama, and the only fairytale element is the beautiful setting of a Swiss hamlet in the year 1806. Filmed not in Switzerland but in the Canadian Rockies, renowned German director Ernst Lubitsch makes the most of both setting and starring actors, John Barrymore and Camilla Horn, with the smooth style and careful editing for which he became famous in the US. Lubitsch's earlier work back in Germany showed his skill in various kinds of comedies (see Kino Video's "Lubitsch in Berlin" series) and while "Eternal Love" is quite serious, the Lubitsch sophistication is definitely there. The focus is on the wild character Marcus, dynamically portrayed by John Barrymore, and his love for the genteel niece of the local minister, also perfectly played by Camilla Horn. But as in real life, sometimes the jealousy of others can destroy a couple's happy plans, and in this story there are two jealous rivals: a wildcat, the complete opposite of the minister's niece, who schemes to have Marcus for herself - and succeeds - and the patient suitor of the minister's niece who later also displays a nasty jealous streak when he realizes she still loves Marcus after all. "Eternal Love" is not a long or involved film at all, and events move rather quickly but never rushed, and always involving the audience in the tragically separated lovers' dilemma until the climactic ending. The picture quality is very good and clear throughout, and even the original sound disc has been restored, giving us today the same experience as audiences in 1929 when, on the verge of the sound era, many silent films were being made with a recorded musical score especially made to suit the film. This one is a nice classical, orchestral score with a few appropriate sound effects here and there. With such a charming and beautiful setting and Barrymore's performance under Lubitsch's expert direction, "Eternal Love" counts as one of the many precious gems of the silent era and deserves a place in every silent film collection.
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