Sorrows of Satan, The (1926)
*** (out of 4)
The final of three films made by D.W. Griffith at Paramount. A poor writer (Ricardo Cortez) living in poverty desperately wants to marry his girlfriend (Carol Dempster) but the lack of money won't allow it. One day, after cursing God, a man (Adolphe Menjou) appears out of nowhere offering the writer tons of money but there will be a price to pay. This is another retelling of Faust but it manages to be entertaining throughout due in large part to some very good performances. The only downside is that Griffith, who was legendary for refusing to go ahead with technology, edits and shoots this in a way that it seems like a film from 1915 and not one from 1926. Technically the film is pretty flat but Griffith makes for a very fast paced 90-minutes and delivers and effective and chilling ending. The opening sequence of Satan being kicked out of Heaven is also nicely done.
*** (out of 4)
The final of three films made by D.W. Griffith at Paramount. A poor writer (Ricardo Cortez) living in poverty desperately wants to marry his girlfriend (Carol Dempster) but the lack of money won't allow it. One day, after cursing God, a man (Adolphe Menjou) appears out of nowhere offering the writer tons of money but there will be a price to pay. This is another retelling of Faust but it manages to be entertaining throughout due in large part to some very good performances. The only downside is that Griffith, who was legendary for refusing to go ahead with technology, edits and shoots this in a way that it seems like a film from 1915 and not one from 1926. Technically the film is pretty flat but Griffith makes for a very fast paced 90-minutes and delivers and effective and chilling ending. The opening sequence of Satan being kicked out of Heaven is also nicely done.