The Film Daily (1918)

Sunday, December 29, 1918 iM^ DAILY 21 Star Registers Strong Characterization in Extremely Artistic Production Nazimova in "EYE FOR EYE" Nazimova Prod. — Metro Distrib. DIRECTOR Albert Capellani AUTHOR Henry Kistemaeker SCENARIO BY ..June Mathis and Albert Capellani CAMERAMAN Eugene Uaudio AS A WHOLE Atmospheric dramatic production giving a vivid picture of Arab hie. Finely handled in all departments. STORY Deals with Bedouin girl who saves life of French officer but seeks revenge when her tribesmen are slaughtered by French. Offers fine opportunity for star. DIRECTION Excellent in bringing out strong qualities of story and showing Nazimova to the best advantage. PHOTOGRAPHY Always of high calibre. Many unusually artistic shots. LIGHTINGS, Finely judged to prevent monotony in scenes. CAMERA WORK Very good throughout STAR Reveals her exotic personality and superior art in an impressive characterization. SUPPORT Charles Bryant makes manly hero. Donald Gallagher and others well cast. Some telling bits in presenting various types of Arabs. EXTERIORS Scenes on desert convince. Always in keeping with situations. INTERIORS Furnished with Oriental splendor. Suitable to costly production of the first class. DETAILS ..Misses no chance to register fine points of the story. CHARACTER OF STORY Nothing to offend. LENGTH OF PRODUCTION About 6500 ft. This much talked of Nazimova film looks to me like a certain winner. It lias quality ail through for Director Albert Capellani has gone to the limit in supplying a richly artistic production in which the famous Russian actress registers a characterization that coiud not be touched by our less temperamental American players. As a basis of the picture, Henry Kismaeker's drama "L'Occident,'' is used, but there is nothing to suggest an adaptation. They've built up a real picture plot and invested it with a production that has plenty of atmosphere. Incidentally, it suggests the expenditure of considerable coin. As a vehicle lor the unusual personality of Nazimova the story is highly successful. It affords the star plenty of opportunity to display her extraordinary dramatic powers in a role that has the charm of novelty. Starting with scenes of Arab life which set the tone of tlie story, they soon swing into the dramatic action by showing how the Bedouin girl saves the life of a French officer who is captured by her tribe. Her treachery being discovered, she is sentenced to die of thirst in the desert, a penalty that bids fair to be earned out when the g.rl is found and taken to Tangiers to be sold on market day. A twist of lortune places Nazimova in the hands of a circus man who is looking for a dancer. In depicting the young woman's life with the circus, they get a number of telling human touches and some comedy, meanwhile building up the other phase of the plot which accounts for the Bre.ich officer, whom Nazimova saved, attending the show and meeting his rescuer. Taken to the home of the Frenchman, whose wife is carrying on an afiair with the usual type of picture willun, an opportunity is given for effective contrast in presenting the reactions of the Bedouin girl conironted by Me conventions of European society. Discovering that her benefactor is being deceived by his wife, Nazimova with true Oriental intensity, threatens to kill the woman. But when it comes to being sent to a convent she rebels, for Mohammet remains the god of her religion. The climax which gives the picture its name, is brought about in an entirely reasonable manner. The girl, through an Arab to whom she was betrothed, learns that the French, led by Hero Charles Bryant, have wiped out her tribe, including her father For revenge she exerts her wiles on the officer's susceptible nephew, plotting his ruin, thereby being avenged on tl e uncle who loves the youth like a son. In the final sequences she relents, saves Hero Bryant from being stabbed in the back by the Arab and confesses her willingness to learn the more charitable teachings of Christianity. In an altogether excellent cast are Sally Crute, E. L. Fernandez, John Reinhard, Louis Stern and others. PeOm&ld Barker Now completing Gov Golawj/tir Foturfcfc Special Production Mi?? Gerfciditte Pari"8ur.