Customer Reviews

Son of the Sheik

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Not east of Suez but south of Algiers" ... with these intertitles abounds one of the greatest legends of the Hollywood that is no more. When one thinks of those times one remembers The Wizard Of Oz, Casablanca ... and those
scenes between Rudolph Valentino and Vilma Banky in a tent under
the desert sun.
Made in 1926 for United Artists, directed by master director
George Fitzmaurice and destined to even beat the 1921 original
"The Sheik" at the box office, this sequel to the former Valentino classic is in many ways the better of the two films.
Rudolph Valentino has never looked better than in this film, which would ultimately be his last, and Hungarian born Vilma
Banky outshines the original heroine Agnes Ayres from the "The Sheik" as well, together making these film the ultimate love story of the silent film age. Agnes Ayres however also appears in this film as the Sheik`s mother as a tribute to Valentino (his father is played by Rudy as well in a double role). But the movie has more assets to it. It is also more handsomely produced than "The Sheik", it has a far more glossy look with its` bigger budget and excellent art direction (by William Cameron Menzies of "Gone With The Wind"-fame), a slightly better script and it exposes far better the enormous acting range of Rudolph Valentino, who is still seen today only as the great Latin Lover (despite for example also being a great drama actor or comedian). The big difference might also líe in the fact that "The Sheik" was a typical product of the studio system and "The Son Of The Sheik" was made far more independently. The other interesting fact is that when this movie was made the silent film style had changed greatly since 1921, making the former film look far more primitive. And it is no wonder that all the famous scenes by which Rudolph Valentino is still judged today emerge from this movie, while the other Valentino films (even "The Sheik") are mostly forgotten today - this movie has its place as a sort of silent screen pop icon (and probably the only silent film most people have heard of in their lifetime today - I remember that as a child I only knew one silent film actor - Rudy, courtesy of this film). This
is also probably the curse of this film. It overshadowed all of his work so much and even made the critical judgment of "The Son Of The Sheik" nearly impossible. In fact it is an entertaining piece of Hollywood fairytale, packed with action and romance, exotic escapism and a great climax when Rudolph Valentino frees his love interest Banky from a band of robbers and rides with her into the endless desert ... and right into movie eternity. Truly a film of these ages, even not hampered by its dated plotline and some outrageous "silent film acting".

A note about the video quality: after being available for two decades only on bad quality tapes, KINO on Video now has released the first really good print of this film. Though not as beautiful as some of their other films or a Kevin Brownlow restoration, this version is multi-tinted and has an appropiate organ score that enhances many of the scenes. Only some of the reels seem a bit washed out, but at least you have now the chance to get a good quality video tape from Rudy`s most famous film.

Like many classic movie buffs, I often wondered what all the fuss about Rudolph Valention a.k.a. "The Great Lover" was about. The answer lies in watching this mesmorizing film! Really a tongue-cheek examination of his own bigger-than-life personna, the actor magnificently portrays the double role of father and son. As Ahmed, the son, Rudy falls in love with the Hungarian Vilma Banky (as Yasmin), a beautiful dancer. Ahmed later holds the beguiling young woman responsible when he is captured and held for by her roguish father's thieves. When Ahmed's father, the Shiek, intervenes, it is discovered that Yasmin is innocent of betrayal and after some heavy derring-do, there is a happy ending. This fast-paced film from 1926 has lost none of it's charm with the passage of time and proves over and over again that Valentino was without question the least understood and most maligned of all of Hollywood's great stars. He was indeed an enigmatic presence in this film. The photography is ethereal, and the desert looks more enchanting here than in any film, and the chases, rescues and stunts are still wonderful to watch. Valentino would die prematurely at the age of 31 of peritonitis 26 August, 1926. For a great companion piece, watch Valentino's great 1921 hit THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE.

On the strength of reading other reviews I held off buying the double DVD..The Sheik/Son of the Sheik and elected to buy KINO's version of Son of the Sheik and I have to say I am not disappointed.The quality of the picture far exceeded my expectations;the clarity is sharp and sound is equally good.Silent films have to rely heavily on emotion and the different moods portrayed by Valentino are startling, Vilma Banky holds her own but it is Valentino's movie; the down side is there are no extras bar chapter listing,it would have been nice but in truth I am not too bothered.I hope KINO issue an equally if not better DVD of The Sheik, look forward to it.

This is my favorite movie. Valentino acted with vitality and became emotionally sad and angry as needed. Although, besieged with the start of his illness, movie magic disguised his worn and inner frustration with his personal life quite well.

Charles Farenga

Watching this film, (beautifully restored by Kino) you can definately see what all the fuss and attention was all about. Rudolph Valentino in my opinion hit his absolute peak in this film, what a tradegy that he died so so after completing it.
"Son of the Sheik" is the definitive silent romantic saga, with a lustful sheik, romance, intrigue, a desert setting. The sort of film not made in these hardened times we now live in.
The film is much more sophisticated and technically superior to Rudy's earler "The Sheik" He has never looked better on screen than in this film and I feel could have continued at least till the end of the silent era in top productions like this.
I strongly recommend those that love romance and the real beauty of silent films to purchase this. It is now a treasured part of my silent film collection along with Ramon Novarro in "Ben - Hur A Tale of Christ" "Show People" and Rudy in "Four Horsemen"
One request now to Kino is" can they now release a properly restored studio copy of Rudolph Valentino in another of his great films "The Eagle"?

I had watched "Camille" and "Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse" only because I had never seen a Rudolph Valentino film and was curious to see what all the fuss has been about. Now I know. I purchased "The Son of the Sheik" and, after seeing it several times, am captivated by his charisma just like thousands before me through the years. Of course, it is a bit corny and several parts are in such fast motion that they are comical; but, if accepted for the fantasy that it is, it is a truly beautiful, sexy romance. I've seen many reviews in which his facial expressions are thought to be comical; but, for the most part, I was mesmerized by the sexual tension that came across in those georgeos eyes! When he first brings his dancing girl to his camp and lights his cigarette and slowly takes off his belt while watching her over his shoulder with that smoldering stare, I actually felt fluttery and would have loved to have been that girl! I have not, personally, seen any male heart-throb since Valentino, to the present day, come even close to rivaling his natural ability to project such sensuality on screen. And that raised eyebrow! Whew! I have now purchased "The Sheik" to see where the story all began. Can't wait to get carried away again!

I am a huge Rudolph Valentino fan. I have been a collector for many years, collecting old Photoplay magazines, photos, tins, postcards, etc. I, also, have most of his films on tape. That is, the films that are still existing today. All the other so called great lovers are measured by Rudy's standards. No one, past or present can compare to the Latin Lover. Now - onto the movie.

Son of the Sheik was Valentino's last film before his untimely death at 31. This film is incredible. Rudy plays both the son and the formidable sheik in this, his last film. He falls in love with a dancing girl, Yasmin, played by Vilma Banky. They fall in love until he is captured and tortured. Believing Yasmin to be responsible, he escapes and extracts his own form of revenge. The tent scene where he has Yasmin at his mercy was incredibly sensuous. You KNEW what Ahmed was planning to do to the beautiful Yasmin. She knew it, too, but was powerless to stop him. No matter how much pleading and begging she did, he drove her mercilessly to his bed. One word - WOW! True love prevails, though, and all is saved.

Some might find a silent movie to be a bit corny but not I. There is something enchanting - magical about watching Rudy. He is without a doubt, the most graceful man captured on film. No ONE walks or dances the way Rudy does. He is poetry in motion. I could watch him for hours . . .

He was blessed with a sinful handsomeness and those eyes . . . They were almost hypnotic in their intensity. It is soooooo easy to see why the women in the 1920's were filled with hysteria for this Latin Lover. After all of these years has passed, his appeal shines forth in this, his final film. There will never be another Rudolph Valentino. He simply graced the screen with his presence and changed everyday life into something magical. While watching him weave his magic, we forgot our troubles if only for a little.

*There is only one regret the world must have had when Rudy died. His voice was never recorded. His singing was but nothing of him "speaking". There has been much speculation over his voice and the transition from silent films to talkie films. Would he have made such a successful transition where others had failed? I believe he would have. But we will never know for sure.*

This is another good film Rudolph Valentino fans will surely enjoy. In this film he plays a dual role, that of father and son. There is romance, action and a little bit of comedy in the scene where the young sheik tries to hide the cute Vilma Banky from his strict father. Agnes Ayres reprises her role from the 1921 film as Lady Diana Mayo. While this is a good film, I am partial to the 1921 "Sheik" film that started it all. Watch them both and decide for yourself! That's the best thing to do, as they are both worth owning for the talented and handsome Rudolph Valentino.

A very romantic movie starring one of the biggest idols of the century, Rudolph Valentino. This is a better film then The Sheik both for its plot and its cinematography. Watch both and judge for yourself!

Generations removed from today's technology and special effects, this movie would seem amateurish to most people. Looking at those eyes of Valentino, I found it stunning. A simple plot, a charming conglomeration of characters, and stark settings only served to make him stand out even more than he already did. I'm sure he would have graduated to "talkies" with all the grace, aplomb, and dazzling beauty that he brought to the silent screen all those years ago. And watching him, the play of emotion on his face, I can see why women swooned and ignored their husbands. Watching Rudy, I can't help but ignore mine, the poor sod. This is definitely a must-see for you gals out there, trust me. BUY this, my gosh, just for those EYES....yowza.