The Bells (Silent)

A tale of an ambitious innkeeper's attacks of conscience after murdering a Jewish merchant, the film manages to rip off both Caligari (proving that Caligari was influential in its time) and Poe's Tell-Tale Heart. Alpha has provided a new sound score by Paul David Bergel that is beyond terrible; for example, there aren't any bells to be heard when the move shows the titular bells sounding. But the print and the movie's production values are both very good, and Lionel Barrymore is fun to watch. Description in the National Center for Jewish Film's catalog: "based on [the] 1869 play, Le Jeuf Polonais (The Polish Jew). ... an example of one way in which Jews have been stereotyped in theater and cinema-as the traveling merchant who becomes an easy target for violence and/or mockery."

This was an excellent story and well acted silent movie with a good score added. It is interesting to see earlier works of well known actors such as Boris Karloff and Lionel Barrymore. Though there were moments where the story line broke a bit, it is very entertaining and at some points a little creepy. The "bad" guy is really a "good" guy at heart, and his murdering a merchant for his money only drives him mad because he really has a conscience. It is interesting how Lionel Barrymore's eyes change over time. Good movie!