Tartuffe

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: January 25, 1926 (Germany) / July 24, 1927 (USA)

DVD Release Date: November 11, 2003

Plot 411: A caretaker who is taking advantage of her elderly charge invites a traveling cinema into their home.

Review: This was a pretty good silent film. Of course, it's all grainy and in black and white, but other than that it was pretty good. A greedy caretaker convinces her elderly master to re-write his will to disown his grandson and leave everything to her. The grandson finds out and returns as a traveling cinema player. He screens a movie that reflects current conditions to unveil the fraud. Watching this and other silent movies is such an experience. These days we're bombarded with sound effects that pound our bodies from all sides. This one uses a simple orchestral score to emphasize action and emotion. Everything is much simplier, and there's still something to be said about simplicity.

Watch It: For a rare movie-watching experience where you infer a lot from facial expression and acting ability.

Skip It: If you don't have the patience for reading dialogue boards.