Plot Summary: Michael "Beau" Geste leaves England in disgrace and joins the infamous French Foreign Legion. He is reunited with his two brothers in North Africa...
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Not a dull moment awaits the viewer in Beau Geste. Quite
honestly, it's never boring. The great action scenes, great story
telling, superb acting, fabulous art direction and amazing
camerawork hold it up just as well today as in 1926.
Now, I'm not a fan of sweeping epics. I, for one, hate David Lean's
work with a passion. But in the silent days, many a great epic film
was made, and this in one of them.
Probably the most incredible thing is the sheer size of this movie.
The opening scenes of the french troops advancing toward the fort,
or later with the arabs doing the same thing, are astounding.
Unlike in Lean's work, where crowds of chattering background
players rush about in every direction, director Herbert Brennon
skillfully weaves his literal army of extras over the sand dunes,
obviously going to great lengths to ensure that he gets a
breathtaking shot. And cinematographer Roy Hunt captures it
impeccably, only as an artist would. I'd like to see more of
his.
I saw this movie last night in a restored silent movie theater with
live organ accompaniment. The organist, the incredible Dennis
James, mentioned that some audience members might feel that
they had seen this film before, only that they thought that it was
with Gar Cooper. I haven't seen that version, but apparently it's
almost a shot-for-shot remake. I'd love to see it if it's even half as
good as this one.
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