This is a rare chance to see a very old picture that has been restored, and combined with a sound track that brings a rather classical approach to provide minimally invasive music that sets a tone for the tragedy together with a well measured modern song that adds color and personality to the character of Cleopatra. I'm sure that some viewers will be turned off by this, since the singer and the song sound rather out of place at first simply because they are unexpected and a surprise. Not everyone likes a surprise, especially when it's applied to something they think should be maintained in total integrity with the original presentation.
My personal view is that these early silent films were meant to be supported by the best efforts of musicians available at the time to add their own personal interpretation to the film, and to support the film with appropriate artistic sound to help convey the viewer into a more complete sensory experience. I know there are some musicians who could provide an accompaniment that would sound more like a 1912 accompaniment, but I liked what the musicians did with this film. I added to my enjoyment and brought me more emotionally into the whole story.
The film itself is an excellent example of how pure acting together with simple sets and costumes can by itself bring a good story to life for a viewer. It helps to have one of the greatest love stories of all time as the subject matter. And, the fact that almost everyone has some level of familiarity with the story as originally written for the stage by the greatest playwright, Wm. Shakespere, certainly provides a foundation that exceeds any minimum requirements.
Scott Indy
My personal view is that these early silent films were meant to be supported by the best efforts of musicians available at the time to add their own personal interpretation to the film, and to support the film with appropriate artistic sound to help convey the viewer into a more complete sensory experience. I know there are some musicians who could provide an accompaniment that would sound more like a 1912 accompaniment, but I liked what the musicians did with this film. I added to my enjoyment and brought me more emotionally into the whole story.
The film itself is an excellent example of how pure acting together with simple sets and costumes can by itself bring a good story to life for a viewer. It helps to have one of the greatest love stories of all time as the subject matter. And, the fact that almost everyone has some level of familiarity with the story as originally written for the stage by the greatest playwright, Wm. Shakespere, certainly provides a foundation that exceeds any minimum requirements.
Scott Indy