Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Borserie it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

MisterWhiplash One of those nice stories to hear about: a film starring two of the most glamorous and true-blue STARS (in caps) of the 1920s was lost for the greater part of the last century and then discovered in a Dutch museum, and then restored for viewing on DVD and TCM. Viewing it any way you can is delightful, but really, if it's at all possible, the best way to watch it is in a theater preferably projected from 35mm with a live piano accompaniment. It is rare to happen but well worth the while, especially with the right organist; the material begs to be given lush and melodramatic rhythm to go with the lush and melodramatic storyline. It might not be the very best silent film you've ever seen, but as far as these old-fashioned romantic will-she-or-wont-she movies go it could be a lot worse.It's one of those stories: a girl needs to betroth a rich gentlemen to help out her family, and she does reluctantly, but her heart is soon to be linked to a man who saves her not once but twice, first time from drowning after falling out of her rowboat and again when she slips and nearly falls off a cliff. There's a few of those moments where one laughs at something kooky being played straight- the honeymoon is spent in the mountain where there's clog-dancing or other- but it's really about these two characters, Lord Bracandale and Theodora, coming together. Moreover, it's about the stars playing would-be lovers on screen, with *the* sexy symbol of his time Valentino substituting for all those lonely women who would love to be in Swanson's shoes. You could guess that so many in the audience would yell out "just leave with him already, he's friggin' Valentino!" Granted, Sam Wood is no master of cinematic drama, but he's a strong craftsman who directs his stars extremely well, getting some restrained and touching performances filled with those little gestures or those sad or loving looks that make up so much of what makes silent films tic. And there's also a supporting performance Robert Bolder that has its moments. Only once did I get slightly fidgety, which is right in the scene where he's deciding on whether or not to go off on the expedition (it dragged slightly, even for just its few minutes as one wants to get back to the stars). The rest of his performance, however, was splendid, particularly when he discovers by a misplaced letter about the love affair between the Lord and Theodora. The final desert scene is also a knockout of melodramatic proportions.It's always something nice when a good film is unearthed for all cineastes to take in, and Beyond the Rocks provides its audience a match-up comparable to the likes of Brad Pitt teaming up with Angelina Jolie or Roberts with Owen in the recent Duplicity. It's engaging to watch the story and yet it's not the reason we're watching: there's something to the chemistry between Swanson, a beauty who doesn't hide her curves and tender but knowing exchanges, and Valentino, who could melt the right girls face with a glance. It's a fine little relic meant to be seen on a big screen.

mountainkath While I am a huge classic movie fan, I have had trouble getting into silent films. Beyond The Rocks is the first silent movie that I have watched from beginning to end.I was attracted to this movie because of the stars (Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino) and the fact that this film was lost until just a few years ago.I really enjoyed this movie and found myself quickly drawn into the story. I was even making up dialogue to go along with the story playing out on the screen.This story was a bit melodramatic and the worst of this was Josiah's insanely corny death scene. (When Josiah grasped the hands of Theodora and Hector and then joined them together my eyeballs nearly rolled out of my head.) Despite the melodrama, the story was appealing to me and the sets and costumes were wonderful.I also enjoyed all of the performances. Besides Valentino and Swanson, I was particularly drawn to Alec B. Francis in the role of Theodora's father.My main quibble with this movie (like others have mentioned) is the sound effects in the score. I understand why they put them in (to appeal to modern audiences) but I found them completely distracting. They were unnecessary and took away from the movie.I also found Swanson's make up and costume in some scenes to be distracting. In some scenes she looked much older than Valentino (she was actually a few years younger). Granted, I have not seen a lot of 1920's movies, so this just may be my ignorance showing.All in all, I really enjoyed this movie and plan to seek out other silent films now that I know they can hold my attention.

bakooi-1 Being a genuine film buff, I couldn't miss out on this one when it was shown on television. It is quite easy to see why the creators of this fluff wanted to bury this incredibly ludicrous film. The biggest stars of their time also seem to realize that they have somehow been forced to make something of what has to be one of the most awful screenplays to ever make it to the big screen. Swanson is on holiday when she nearly drowns and is rescued by... Valentino! Later on she is climbing mountains somewhere in The Alps and nearly dies. But who just happens to be there (again) to save her in the nick of time (again)? Yes, it's Valentino. And when Swanson has dinner in one of the numerous Parisian restaurants, disaster strikes again when she inadvertently drops her handkerchief! Guess who (once again) just happens to be in the same restaurant at the exact same time to (once again) play the romantic hero by retrieving Swansons handkerchief? It would have been more credible had Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer been there to liven things up, because the creators of this film apparently despised their audience so much, that they believed we might actually fall for this ridiculous story. One the fans could have (and, for my part, SHOULD have) done without. Still, strangely fascinating to see these two together...

blanche-2 The silent era continues to have surprises for us, such as this one, "Beyond the Rocks," a film starring Gloria Swanson and Rudolph Valentino once thought lost but since rediscovered and restored. Based on a novel by Elinor Glyn, it's a potboiler that doesn't hold up well today, but so little does at age 84. It's the story of a young woman, Theodora, the hope of her family (i.e., the one with the youth and looks to nab a rich husband) who meets a British nobleman (Valentino) when he saves her from drowning. Then she meets her betrothed, a short, old thing. She's disappointed, but for the sake of her father, marries him. She runs into Valentino on her honeymoon and this time, he saves her from falling off a mountain during a climbing expedition. They seem Meant to Be. But both are determined to honor her marriage vows.Valentino and Swanson are heavily made up, and both actually looked much better with a more natural appearance. In the beginning, with her hair down and less Max Factor, Swanson is lovely - petite, with amazing eyes and beautiful skin. Later on, however, she looks older than she is due to the make-up and hair-do. Her character has a great wardrobe, and Swanson wears it well. Both actors give good performances. Valentino had a tendency to be obvious in some of his emotions - it was more the style then - but he gives a more relaxed performance in "Beyond the Rocks." Most of the movie looks beautiful with its sepia tones though there are some damaged sections. It's quite a find and a chance to see two big stars of the silent era together. Swanson wrote of parts of the film that don't seem to exist any longer - but as one of the comments here suggests, she perhaps was mixing this up with another film. Given the plot, it would be easy to do so.