Most people have mixed feelings about Cecil B. DeMille's 1925 The Road to Yesterday because of its unique construction.
What we have here are two stories, one set in the present, the other in the past.
Just as the present reaches a dazzling climax, suddenly we flash back and a different narrative starts all over again from the beginning.
The characters are introduced and the story proceeds slowly, gathers pace, and once again builds to a terrific climax.
Personally, I thought De Mille's skill managed to carry this difficult and different feat of movie construction to a thrilling conclusion. He was helped, of course, by his players, particularly William Boyd. Jetta Goudal and Vera Reynolds.
On first glance, Joseph Schildkraut seems an odd choice for a hero, but this casting is cleverly handled.
And, as we expect of DeMille, production values are extremely high. (Cut from 10 reels to 7, a 10/10 DVD from Sunrise Silents).
What we have here are two stories, one set in the present, the other in the past.
Just as the present reaches a dazzling climax, suddenly we flash back and a different narrative starts all over again from the beginning.
The characters are introduced and the story proceeds slowly, gathers pace, and once again builds to a terrific climax.
Personally, I thought De Mille's skill managed to carry this difficult and different feat of movie construction to a thrilling conclusion. He was helped, of course, by his players, particularly William Boyd. Jetta Goudal and Vera Reynolds.
On first glance, Joseph Schildkraut seems an odd choice for a hero, but this casting is cleverly handled.
And, as we expect of DeMille, production values are extremely high. (Cut from 10 reels to 7, a 10/10 DVD from Sunrise Silents).