This is a very good film by director Ernst Lubitsch. One reviewer said that his silent films were every bit as good as his talkies, though I would definitely disagree. Maybe this is because I have seen his very early silent films--and they are VERY rough indeed. No, I would say Lubitsch's silents definitely are not up to the amazing quality of his talking pictures, though some of his silents are still very good--like this one.
The film stars John Barrymore as a Swiss peasant who is in love with Ciglia (Camilla Horn). It appears as if the two will soon marry but in a moment of weakness following her rebuff of his frisky, he sleeps with Pia--and subsequently is forced into a marriage with a woman he really didn't love. Ciglia's heart is naturally broken and on the rebound she marries another. The problem is that her new husband get get over the fact that she had loved this other man and he seethes with jealousy. Sadly this leads to a very bad ending for everyone--and an ending that seemed too sentimental and old fashioned. This is odd, actually, considering how otherwise adult the film is.
"Eternal Love", though set in Switzerland, was filmed in Canada--as it was a lot closer to Hollywood--and cheaper. It was not a bad idea, as the scenery in the Canadian Rockies was lovely and to he untrained eye it was a good stand-in for the real thing. In addition, the film had especially nice cinematography and acting. But, because of the schmaltzy ending (I won't reveal what it is--see it for yourself), I have to see this as a very good but ultimately flawed film. Still, for lovers of silents, it's well worth seeing.
By the way, as the film begins there is a message that it was made from the best available print and seemed apologetic of the quality--which was superb. The only quibble, and it's only apparent on a huge TV screen is that the print is a teeny, tiny bit blurry--not quite as crisp as it might be.
The film stars John Barrymore as a Swiss peasant who is in love with Ciglia (Camilla Horn). It appears as if the two will soon marry but in a moment of weakness following her rebuff of his frisky, he sleeps with Pia--and subsequently is forced into a marriage with a woman he really didn't love. Ciglia's heart is naturally broken and on the rebound she marries another. The problem is that her new husband get get over the fact that she had loved this other man and he seethes with jealousy. Sadly this leads to a very bad ending for everyone--and an ending that seemed too sentimental and old fashioned. This is odd, actually, considering how otherwise adult the film is.
"Eternal Love", though set in Switzerland, was filmed in Canada--as it was a lot closer to Hollywood--and cheaper. It was not a bad idea, as the scenery in the Canadian Rockies was lovely and to he untrained eye it was a good stand-in for the real thing. In addition, the film had especially nice cinematography and acting. But, because of the schmaltzy ending (I won't reveal what it is--see it for yourself), I have to see this as a very good but ultimately flawed film. Still, for lovers of silents, it's well worth seeing.
By the way, as the film begins there is a message that it was made from the best available print and seemed apologetic of the quality--which was superb. The only quibble, and it's only apparent on a huge TV screen is that the print is a teeny, tiny bit blurry--not quite as crisp as it might be.