I'm a huge fan of the 1952 remake of Scaramouche, but when I bought the digital version of that film for some reason I got this original silent film as well. It was interesting to see some of the different things that played into the film I love, because there are a number of similar story elements. This one has quite an epic adventure as it takes us on a journey through a great deal of the French Revolution, and ties our main character into that bit of history. The hero's journey is easy to get invested in, because he is faced with a great deal of injustice. I did have some difficulty following the way the politics worked in the film, because they seemed to gloss over some key details, and it never felt like there were any rules or anyone enforcing them, but perhaps a history lesson would clear things up better for me.
Where this movie falls short of the magic that they found in 1952 is in the comedy and action. This film is almost entirely serious, and it becomes difficult to see how Moreau is able to disguise himself among the acting troupe. He constantly reveals himself and makes himself known, so the whole idea of joining them feels pointless. Also, while it seems weird saying this about a performance in a silent film, I felt Ramon Novarro's performance was a little flat in the lead role. Then there's the magic of the sword fights that this movie failed to capture. Perhaps it's the limitation of the time, but there's nothing all that exciting in these fights, while 1952 Scaramouche is a swashbuckling adventure through-and-through. However, there's an exciting twist in this story that actually managed to surprise me, and made it well worth watching. I'll still always lean towards the remake, but this is a decent silent film for those who like them.
Where this movie falls short of the magic that they found in 1952 is in the comedy and action. This film is almost entirely serious, and it becomes difficult to see how Moreau is able to disguise himself among the acting troupe. He constantly reveals himself and makes himself known, so the whole idea of joining them feels pointless. Also, while it seems weird saying this about a performance in a silent film, I felt Ramon Novarro's performance was a little flat in the lead role. Then there's the magic of the sword fights that this movie failed to capture. Perhaps it's the limitation of the time, but there's nothing all that exciting in these fights, while 1952 Scaramouche is a swashbuckling adventure through-and-through. However, there's an exciting twist in this story that actually managed to surprise me, and made it well worth watching. I'll still always lean towards the remake, but this is a decent silent film for those who like them.