Sea Beast

THE SEA BEAST is one of the legendary silent films from the 1920s but, alas, it seems that no high quality print of this movie has survived, or at least is in circulation. The print in limited (aka "bootleg") circulation for decades is a rather beat up one donated by a private collector to the Eastman House of Photography. It appears to be in 16mm and at least a couple of generations away from an original (compare the picture quality of BEAST with Barrymore's THE BELOVED ROGUE made a year later [available on dvd] to see what a difference source material can make). This is the print source used for this dvd.

That said, it's still good news to have THE SEA BEAST available on dvd at all. The transfer quality is acceptable (under the circumstances) with a serviceable musical score. Silent film afficiandos will have no trouble peering through its current condition to see in their mind's eye what this film would look like in an original 35mm print. For others it will be tough going. This film was a huge (and unlikely) hit in 1926 as John Barrymore rode the crest of his "Hamlet" success in the theater. Hollywood studios were ready to spend opulent budgets to celebrate the Great Profile's presence in films. In fact, Barrymore had been a film star since 1914 and would be one of a very few stars of his vintage to make a successful transition to sound films a few years later. Like other silent stars who made the transition, Barrymore reinvented his screen image - from a costume swashbuckler to modern dress characters. He made it look easy but almost none of his contemporaries were able to pull it off.

Today, THE SEA BEAST is chiefly remembered for documenting the budding real life romance of Barrymore with his co-star, Dolores Costello, whom he basically took out of the extras at Warners and insisted that she be cast as his leading lady. They married in 1928, had two children and divorced in 1935. Today both of them are remembered mainly as the grandparents of Drew Barrymore. THE SEA BEAST has been called a film for incurable romantics and that remain its chief charm. The special effects of the whale are lame even by the standards of 1926, and the use of model ships for the storm sequences is painfully obvious. The "happy ending" will no doubt displease Melville fans (but delight everybody else). Barrymore remade this film as a talkie in 1930 under its original title. Costello was not involved but home expecting their first baby. The special effects in MOBY DICK are far superior to THE SEA BEAST but the talkie isn't nearly as romantic - which explains why fans always seem to prefer the silent original over the "new, improved" version.

Rarely seen, and never before available on DVD or VHS, Telvista has just released the new DVD transfer of Warner Bros. 1926 "The Sea Beast". It is loosely based on Herman Meville's "Moby Dick", set in 1837 New Bedford. Captain Ahab Cooley and his step-brother Derek compete for the minister's daughter, Esther Wiscasset. Meanwhile, a huge albino whale has been eluding harpooners; he bears the scars of their failed attempts. Finally, Ahab and Derek come upon the famous creature. Ahab raises his harpoon to kill the beast. But Derek pushes him overboard, and Ahab loses a leg to the whale. Star John Barrymore's portrayal of agonizing pain here greatly enhanced his acting fame. Later, Esther is shocked by Ahab's peg leg. Heartbroken, Ahab transfers blame and an undying hatred onto the whale. His pursuit of the whale becomes an epic quest. In 1925, John Barrymore returned from his London triumph in "Hamlet". He signed a contract with Warner Bros. with star status. He was to work seven weeks on four films and receive $76,000 per picture(a tidy sum at that time). He would be paid $7625 per week of overtime. Barrymore demanded that the leading role be given to twenty-year-old Dolores Costello, who, to date, had appeared in only three movies. Ms. Costello would become his third wife. "The Sea Beast" is a thoroughly romantic throwback to the nineteenth century, although Barrymore, before losing his leg, is dressed in torn or open shirts. In one sequence he is shirtless. Numerous closeups emphasize the emotional details. With only one exception, Barrymore acts in the grand old style(similar to his father, Maurice). That is, he strikes an attitude and freezes. When not moving, he is unnaturally, strikingly still. He never walks, but rather leaps about, slapping comrades on the back, jumping into fights, and enjoying a hearty drink. The single exception to this style is when Ahab thinks he sees Esther and Derek embracing. There is a fifteen second close-up. It is the continuously changing face of an emotionally affected man. It is genuine. Years later, Barrymore said that "The Sea Beast" was his favorite film. Here, John Barrymore is at the peak of his abilities, years before alcohol would rob him of his looks and power. Barrymore died young, just sixty, in 1942. Dolores Costello is also very good here. When Ahab returns from the sea, and she first sees his peg leg, she is bemused; and then shocked. She begins to cry, falling to his knees. Even Barrymore is moved. Powerful. The movie was a huge hit. True Barrymore fans are in for a treat. But "The Sea Beast" is slow-moving and dated, and others may frankly be bored. I wasn't. It includes some documentary footage of the harvesting of sperm whales. Much of "The Sea Beast" was shot on location at the port of San Pedro, south of Los Angeles, Cal. and on Catalina Island. The DVD claims that it was Digitally Remastered. I wonder. Heavy splotching and rampant fade-outs occur in reel three(some thirty minutes in). "The Sea Beast" was re-made with sound in 1930 by Warner Bros., and again starred John Barrymore. It was not a success.

The fact that the sea beast is on DVD at all is a cinema lovers delight! I am a big silent film fan, and barrymore fan as well. I had a print of this for a few years with a piano score, this one has a different one. The score on this one is good,(matches the scenes well) is a combination of traditional and modern, a little to modern in some scenes. I spent years trying to track this one down prior to this release, and it wasn't easy! Print is a little rough but very watchable. It is a treat to be able to easy access to obtain this one. Great film, this one is the most complete ive ever seen clocking in at 133 minutes. Film is better than the sound remake also with barrymore. Sound quality of the music score is very good. A must have for any silent film fan and barrymore fan.

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