Review of Flesh and the Devil (1926) by Cindy I — 03 Sep 2007

Excellent film. I had heard about this for years and it didn't disappoint. A familiar story -- a love triangle -- handled well, good performances, unexpected (although appropriate) ending and even though it's a drama, it has some good comic bits in the beginning.

Keep an eye out for the pastor's drunken "double vision." The fireworks between Garbo and Gilbert are obviously real -- nobody is that good an actor. It's a shame John Gilbert, for whatever the true reasons are, didn't make it in talkies.

He did a really good job here. I was surprised by Garbo's character, Felicitas. I didn't expect her to be quite so selfish and evil. But god she's gorgeous. I can see how a man could let his whole life go to rack and ruin over her.

With the subject matter, and all the making out, I'm sure this film was shocking for its time, particularly the scene where the characters are in church and taking Communion. I'm not Catholic or shocked by much and this still got me.

This film is just a quality effort all around.