Over half an hour of the original is gone, but what restoration experts have come up with and hoe they've filled in the blanks is exceptional work. This visually exciting romantic adventure set in the Rocky Mountains is wonderful in every way, reminding movie lovers that if it hadn't been for the silent era, so many creative ideas would possibly never have been thought of. It also features one of the most alluring screen couples ever on film, gorgeous Mary Duncan, and hunky Charles Farrell whom based on his silent films alone deserves to be named one of the greatest movie heartthrobs of all time.
The camera loves these two, pining over each other among the pines, surrounded by majestic hills, very high train tressles and lots of great logging scenes. They're very playful together which brings some humor to the potentially tragic love story. When they're alone, it's as if no one else exists, and they're the only one the other needs, that is outside Farrell's pet crow. The film has many great moments, and those that don't survive are represented by stills. The direction by Frank Borzage is top notch and this alone should add him to the lists of all time greats. The special effects of the flooding river are sensational. With all the films of this era we'll never get the chance to see, this is one I'll accept as is, because even incomplete, it's a masterpiece.
The camera loves these two, pining over each other among the pines, surrounded by majestic hills, very high train tressles and lots of great logging scenes. They're very playful together which brings some humor to the potentially tragic love story. When they're alone, it's as if no one else exists, and they're the only one the other needs, that is outside Farrell's pet crow. The film has many great moments, and those that don't survive are represented by stills. The direction by Frank Borzage is top notch and this alone should add him to the lists of all time greats. The special effects of the flooding river are sensational. With all the films of this era we'll never get the chance to see, this is one I'll accept as is, because even incomplete, it's a masterpiece.