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The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

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The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

1921

2h 12m

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

In Argentina, Julio (Rudolph Valentino) is a smooth-talking, wanton man, and the favorite grandson of rich landowner Madariaga (Pomeroy Cannon). Julio is French, and his very large family also has a German side, but after Madariaga's death, Julio decides to desert them all for Paris. There, he takes up with married woman Marguerite (Alice Terry). But as World War I begins, Julio joins up with the French, and soon has an unpleasant reunion with his German relatives on the battlefield.

Variety Staff

Variety

It is a production of many nuances, shadings so artistic and skillful as to intrigue the mind of the spectator.

Jul 6, 2010

Full Review

NYT Staff

New York Times

Although it has a good deal of the wordiness, erratic tempo and illogical emphasis common to screen adaptations of printed stories, it is nevertheless distinguished from many other works of its kind by genuine cinematographic qualities.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

At least two visuals have entered cinema lore.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 21, 2025

Full Review

Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

The film gets a bit lost in the sprawl of the second half, attempting to substitute all-manner-of-man-and-animal spectacle for the smaller, more engaging squabbles that have hooked us. But even in a Discord era, it's a powerful reflection on discord.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 7, 2025

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Rousing, heartbreaking, beautiful, ugly, and full of human activity, some of which sings with insight and emotion, some of which plods.

Rated: 7/10

Mar 31, 2014

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Scott Nash

Three Movie Buffs

It still has a few entertaining moments but it's mostly a real slog to get through.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 24, 2006

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Lou Lou D

The hottest love scenes ever filmed. This is the movie that made Valentino a star.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/05/23

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dustin d

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a silent epic with a unique premise of a tango dancer fighting in World War I, and interesting apocalyptic visuals. It is a little bit of a slog, but it is a good, minor classic.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

The best, GREATEST epic movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

A well made anti-war film about a family torn apart during war time that served as Valentino's breakout role. Most famous for Valentino's "tango" scene. And all the 20's girls swooned!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The first war themed film produced by Hollywood. (First World War). Valentino's break out film, infamous Tango scene, infamous flower scene. Valentino the anti-hero, smouldering, sexy, dangerous and an utterly charming gentleman. Perfect combination. Perfect for Rudi fans. However, the film is a little to long and could be more concise and it is a bit to anti-German, were the reviews of the time, and I do agree.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Adapted from Vincent Blasco Ibanez's 1916 novel of the same name, Rex Ingram's The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse takes place during the first World War and sees a family of both French and German descent get torn apart by the conflict. That's what the plot of this film should be. Instead, June Mathis's script is muddled down by over an hour of set-up and an uninteresting love affair. It felt as if the film should have been starting at about the 1 hour 40 minute mark. At its height The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a thrilling metaphor for a world ravaged by war - with lead actors Rudolph Velntino and Josef Swickard making the most of the silent film medium - but at it's lowest it's a melodramatic mess of characters I don't remember the names of attempting to tell far too grand a story for silent film.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

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Rex Ingram

Director

Rudolph Valentino

Julio Desnoyers

Alice Terry

Marguerite Laurier

Pomeroy Cannon

Madariaga

Josef Swickard

Marcelo Desnoyers

Brinsley Shaw

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Synopsis

In Argentina, Julio (Rudolph Valentino) is a smooth-talking, wanton man, and the favorite grandson of rich landowner Madariaga (Pomeroy Cannon). Julio is French, and his very large family also has a German side, but after Madariaga's death, Julio decides to desert them all for Paris. There, he takes up with married woman Marguerite (Alice Terry). But as World War I begins, Julio joins up with the French, and soon has an unpleasant reunion with his German relatives on the battlefield.

Director: Rex Ingram
Screenwriter: June Mathis
Production Co: Metro
Genre: War
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 8, 2018
Runtime: 2h 12m

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