Given the scope of her career and the lack of variance in most of her roles, it's not at all surprising Greta Garbo would headline a film entitled The Temptress in which she stars as a woman so irresistible and riddled with sex appeal that she drives every man she meets to destruction.
This is quite involved for a silent movie, changing locations, including man-made and natural disasters, and utilizing tons of extras in various scenes. Starting off at an elegant masked ball, the movie features scenes among the upper crust as well as in a mining district in Mexico. There are love scenes, explosions, and an extremely gory whipping battle between two of Greta's suitors. The special effects are pretty impressive as a rainstorm destroys part of the Mexican village, so I applaud director Fred Niblo for tackling both the intimate and the extreme.
Also, this has nothing to do with the original film, but it's a bonus for modern viewers: If you watch the version accompanied by Michael Picton's music, you'll be treated to a beautiful love theme. I've seen some silent movies that have been given forgettable music, or even worse, industrial music, but this one has a very enjoyable and fitting soundtrack.
This is quite involved for a silent movie, changing locations, including man-made and natural disasters, and utilizing tons of extras in various scenes. Starting off at an elegant masked ball, the movie features scenes among the upper crust as well as in a mining district in Mexico. There are love scenes, explosions, and an extremely gory whipping battle between two of Greta's suitors. The special effects are pretty impressive as a rainstorm destroys part of the Mexican village, so I applaud director Fred Niblo for tackling both the intimate and the extreme.
Also, this has nothing to do with the original film, but it's a bonus for modern viewers: If you watch the version accompanied by Michael Picton's music, you'll be treated to a beautiful love theme. I've seen some silent movies that have been given forgettable music, or even worse, industrial music, but this one has a very enjoyable and fitting soundtrack.