This film has a very, very complicated plot--so complicated that it really seemed to have too much plot. The main plot involves Ramon Novarro falling in love with a young Joan Crawford. However, when Ramon's brothers return from a sea voyage, Crawford is promised to Ramon's oldest brother and Ramon is a bit of a milksop and says nothing. However, he does accompany two of his brothers on their next sea voyage, as the oldest brother is the captain and the next brother is the first mate (thank goodness for good old fashioned nepotism). Soon, all kinds of crazy crap occurs (such as one brother falling overboard and dying, the older brother being stabbed and left for dead in Singapore and Ramon being blamed for the stabbing!). All this made for a very complicated plot--and if I tried explaining it, you'd probably not believe me!
In a strange and impossible to believe twist, when the ship with Ramon in chains arrives back home on the East Coast of America, Ramon hijacks the ship back to Singapore without getting supplies and seems to arrive there in the space of just a few days AND he brings Crawford with him (why, we just don't know). Then, even more oddly, the older brother swims aboard the boat and it all ends up in an exciting but ridiculous conclusion.
When this film debuted in 1928, I assume it played much better than it does now, as the plot seems awfully melodramatic and tough to believe. However, as far as production values go, it is a very good silent and the script is interesting enough to make it better than just a time-passer. A competent but far from great film.
In a strange and impossible to believe twist, when the ship with Ramon in chains arrives back home on the East Coast of America, Ramon hijacks the ship back to Singapore without getting supplies and seems to arrive there in the space of just a few days AND he brings Crawford with him (why, we just don't know). Then, even more oddly, the older brother swims aboard the boat and it all ends up in an exciting but ridiculous conclusion.
When this film debuted in 1928, I assume it played much better than it does now, as the plot seems awfully melodramatic and tough to believe. However, as far as production values go, it is a very good silent and the script is interesting enough to make it better than just a time-passer. A competent but far from great film.