Review of The Penalty (1920) by Jacob L — 11 Mar 2017

This movie is an absolute privilege to watch, not only because its one of the few Lon Chaney films to survive but also one of his greatest performances. In this film, he plays the crime lord Blizzard a double amputee out for revenge after his legs are accidently cut off as a boy during a botched operation. Chaney actually tied his legs behind him and walked on his knees in these buckets with leather straps so that he would look the part and wouldn't have to rely on trick angles. I mean he just gives each performance his absolute effort and it really shows in this picture. don't be turned away by it being a silent film as it's up to par and maybe even better than sound movies today.

5/5.