Reviews of silent film releases on home video. Copyright © 1999-2024 by Carl Bennett and the Silent Era Company. All Rights Reserved.

Camille (1921)

Alla Nazimova’s version of the venerable Dumas drama is set in modern-day Paris, and is highlighted by art director Natasha Rambova’s Art Nouveau production design.

Armand, fresh from the provinces, discovers a captivating Marguerite in Paris, surrounded by sycophantic leaches. While his devotion rescues Marguerite from her superficial ‘friends,’ it cannot lift her from the increasingly gloomy feeling of impending doom. Armand’s father insists Marguerite give up Armand to save the family from the scandal of her injudicious past. Tragically, she agrees, jettisons her relationship and returns to Paris and her old cohorts. Armand falls into a fast-paced and destructive lifestyle to forget and punish Marguerite. Eventually, gravely ill and in the hands of creditors, Marguerite’s last moments are spent thinking of Armand.

Nazimova is oddly enchanting as a jaded and, of course, tubercular nouveau riche Marguerite. Rudolph Valentino is a subdued yet still passionate Armand. Arthur Hoyt as the count appears in another of his ineffectual characters, for which he was known. Patsy Ruth Miller makes a brief but endearing impression as Nichette. And, while he was not a major director, Ray Smallwood does a good job of bringing in a glossy production worthy of the yet-to-be-formed MGM studio.

There is enough Nazimova posing, to show off her fabulously-designed wardrobe, to satisfy the most lingering of fashion show fleas. Also, Nazimova’s big hair is every bit the inspiration for the look of the Bride of Frankenstein. But, ultimately, the production design and its surprisingly entertaining performances make this film a pleasure to discover and revisit.

— Carl Bennett

Released as an extra feature to the well-known Greta Garbo production, this DVD edition of Camille (1921) has been transferred full-frame from an excellent 35mm print, which is finely detailed and relatively unmarred by print flaws. There is little in the way of speckling, dust and other flaws to distract the viewer, except for a half-dozen or so momentary processing flares.

On high-definition equipment, upscaling to full HD, the standard-resolution picture looks filmlike, but also is a little softer in image detail — due in part to the standard NTSC signal of DVD and in part to the source material. Just remember that many of Nazimova’s close-ups are deliberately a little out-of-focus to soften her features on film.

The film is accompanied by a fine orchestral music score originally composed by Peter Vantine for a Turner Classic Movies television presentation.

We recommend this edition as the best-available on home video — a delicious experience.

USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 1 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
Canada: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 1 NTSC DVD edition from Amazon.ca. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
This Region 1 NTSC DVD edition has been discontinued and is . . .

The film is likely accompanied by a soundtrack compiled from preexisting recordings.

USA: Click the logomark to purchase this Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition from Amazon.com. Your purchase supports Silent Era.
This Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition is also available directly from . . .

The film is likely accompanied by a soundtrack compiled from preexisting recordings.

This Region 0 NTSC DVD-R edition is available directly from . . .

Other RUDOLPH VALENTINO films available on home video.