|
The Gold Rush (2 Disc Special Edition)Rating:
Release Date: 01 July, 2003 Retail Price: $29.98 OUR Price: $26.99 You SAVE: $2.99! Cast: |
The Gold Rush (2 Disc Special Edition) Reviews
The Best
It's hard to say which Chaplin masterpiece is the *best.* But having just viewed this 1925 release I have to say that right now I would have to give that honor to this film. Why? Well, to start with, it is really quite funny. Just watch Big Jim Mckay's face during the famous *cooked shoe* scene. No straight man has ever played it straighter or funnier. There's the *dog tied to his belt* scene, the *house perched on a cliff* scene, the *chicken suit* scene, all seasoned with Chaplin's small detailed quirks that make repeated watchings rewarding.
Second, the supporting cast is extraordinary, perhaps the best in any other Chaplin film except perhaps A Woman of Paris. The comedy is shared by Chaplin with these capable folk, and the result is very very funny. A special nod must go to Georgia Hale, who turns in a great performance as the love interest. The scene when she comes into Chaplin's empty cabin on New Years Eve, and realizes what she has done to him is a performance for the ages.
The look of the film is very fine. All the outdoor scenes really do look like they were shot in a blizzard. The interiors are very detailed and interesting. I don't think Chaplin paid so much attention to detail as in this film.
Lastly, one must say something about the dramatic elements of this film. Much has been written about Chaplin's sentimentality. While there is that here, there is also a very faithful rendering of romantic isolation which comes off VERY authentically, very powerfully. The scene of Chaplin standing in his room, listening to the New Year's Eve bar crowd is exquisitely heart-rending. Chaplin expresses it all with his still back to the camera. Amazing.
A New Experience
This is the first silent film I've ever watched. It's not for people with ADD, but The Gold Rush is surprisingly well done. You're able to follow what's going on with only a few subtitle screens placed here and there. Nothing at all what I expected. I figured there'd be hundreds of screens I'd have to read. I was really surprised that the movie worked so well with so little reading. Exaggerated blocking was probably one thing that made it work. This technique no doubt eliminated the need for quite a few subtitle screens. Very smart move on the part of the director. Of course, exaggrated blocking beats the heck out of no blocking at all. Some of the more monotone movie stars of today could drastically improve their performances if they apply the blocking techniques used in films like this.
Because there's so little verbal communication, the VAST majority of the comedy here is physical. But honestly, I'm not very sophistocated when it comes to physical comedy and I've never evolved past the three stooges. So I'm not sure if I laughed out loud during any scene in this film (although I did enjoy seeing the prospector accidentally tie a dog leash to his belt). Despite my quiet reaction, I still found the movie to be very charming, much like Woody Allen's Small Time Crooks.
I love the music and the special effects. Very impressive for the 1920's. Even though this sucker is old, it certainly doesn't look low-budget. I did think there were FAR too many scenes in log cabins though.
I also thought the film was quite long. I'm so used to seeing shorts from the early years of film, that I honestly didn't know if The Gold Rush was a full length film or a short. I think it was a bit longer than it needed to be, because some scenes in my mind were either not needed or drawn out. I had to take a few intermissions every now and then - but that may be because I'm not used to the silent stuff.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who hasn't seen a silent film before. It's quite eye-opening. Plus the featured girls don't look half bad.
More Customer Reviews (23 total)
You like The Gold Rush (2 Disc Special Edition)?
|
© 2004, 2005, 2006 DVD Booty | Don't Plunder Our Cache of Booty, Matey!
Hosting made possible by donations from credit card debt solutions, Debt Counseling Hotline, and All Debt Services
