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Old Ironsides
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by Paramount Home Video
Sales Rank: 33058
Price: $7.99
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Having recently seen and thoroughly enjoyed MASTER & COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD with Russell Crowe and its incredible depiction of life aboard an early 19th century frigate, I felt compelled to trot out this silent classic from my VHS collection (it's not available on DVD) and revisit this 1926 view of shipboard life. I hadn't seen the film in quite some time and was surprised to note that several scenes in OLD IRONSIDES are quite similar to scenes in MASTER & COMMANDER. Surely director Peter Weir must have screened this film before making his. The battle sequences are very similar with sand being spread on deck to absorb blood, the crew hitting the deck to avoid a volley, young boys dying during the fighting, and fierce close up hand to hand combat. Both movies are set during the same time period but the storylines are very different with the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) versus the Barbary Pirates being the setting here and in the classic Hollywood tradition there is a woman involved. <br /> <br />Charles Farrell who was a big romantic lead in the 20's especially when paired with Janet Gaynor, shows here why he was so popular. He is vulnerable but heroic, reserved but not stoic and he possesses an effortless charm that makes him appealing. Although playing the standard damsel in distress role, Esther Ralston makes an engaging heroine who is not a total wimp when the going gets tough. Character actors Wallace Beery and George Bancroft have a field day as feuding sailors while George Godfrey is featured in a more significant role than black actors of the time were usually given. Add to that some brief nudity and a discreetly sexy performance from Ralston (she was once known as The American Venus) and you have a real winner on your hands. The film is well directed by James Cruze (THE COVERED WAGON, THE GREAT GABBO) who is all but forgotten today due to most of his films being lost. Hopefully Paramount will soon release this on DVD along with the others in their silent film series of a few years ago including WINGS. Until then this VHS version which features a beautiful print and a digitally recorded organ score by Gaylord Carter at an excellent price is certainly worth having.
Viewer Reviews
The US Constitution has been elected the ship to police the high seas, a necessary addition because of the amount of piracy. The nation is proud of this ship and many young men yearn to sail aboard her. The Commodore (Charles Farrell) is no different but he is swindled to sail aboard the Esther by its captain (Wallace Beery). The captain also shanghais a friend on board (George Bancroft), a man who is supposed to be the gunner on the Constitution. The ship cook says the Esther is doomed from the start because she carries a woman on board (Esther Ralston), and that turns out to be right. One just can't avoid pirates these days.
A truly adventurous film, Old Ironsides is a delight from start to finish . It's length might sound long, but there is action every moment.
The real attraction here are the stars. Ralston is the least noteworthy as her job is basically to look pretty, but she has great chemistry with Farrell. He is standout in his role, appropriately innocent and undeniably sexy. The moment that he passionately acts on his desires for Esther is intense and brings the romantic aspect of the film to a who new level. There aren't many actors who can inspire such strong emotions with no words and only a few minutes of film. The friendship between Beery and Bancroft is an excellent addition to the story. Their fights are hilarious and each man exudes a wealth of personality; it is difficult not to like them despite Beery's reputation. Look closely to see Bancroft spouting off some foul language when he learns that the new gunner has not properly done his job.
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Old Ironsides
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