In his novel 'La Tierra de Todos' (The Land of All), the Spanish author Vicente Blasco Ibáñez sets up the mind ( personified by an architect) against the body (the beauty of the temptress), and, social order (a workforce to build, here, a dam) against anarchy (a renegade leader and his band). For the author, males who fight with their bodies against (young) female bodies are condemned (go bankrupt). The architect (Order) fights also against the band leader (Anarchy) in the Argentine way: with a whip in an arena in the form of a circle.
Based on this novel, Fred Niblo shot a most memorable movie with spectacular scenes (the destruction of a dam), brutal bloody fights, a masked ball and, most impressive of all, the heavenly (satanic) beauty of a young Greta Garbo. Will the body (the temptress) vanquish the mind? The ultimate encounter between the two doesn't turn into a happy end. This movie, with Greta Garbo in one of her best roles, is a must see for all film buffs.
Based on this novel, Fred Niblo shot a most memorable movie with spectacular scenes (the destruction of a dam), brutal bloody fights, a masked ball and, most impressive of all, the heavenly (satanic) beauty of a young Greta Garbo. Will the body (the temptress) vanquish the mind? The ultimate encounter between the two doesn't turn into a happy end. This movie, with Greta Garbo in one of her best roles, is a must see for all film buffs.