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The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Play trailer Poster for The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse 1921 2h 12m War Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

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The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 07/06/2010
It is a production of many nuances, shadings so artistic and skillful as to intrigue the mind of the spectator. Go to Full Review NYT Staff New York Times 06/24/2006
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. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 21
3/4
At least two visuals have entered cinema lore. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal 04/07/2025
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy 03/31/2014
7/10
Rousing, heartbreaking, beautiful, ugly, and full of human activity, some of which sings with insight and emotion, some of which plods. Go to Full Review Scott Nash Three Movie Buffs 06/24/2006
2.5/4
It still has a few entertaining moments but it's mostly a real slog to get through. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lou Lou D @RT69221405 09/05/2023 The hottest love scenes ever filmed. This is the movie that made Valentino a star. See more dustin d @RT12543299 09/14/2020 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. See more Thomas M @TMProofreader 01/26/2019 The best, GREATEST epic movie ever made! See more 07/24/2018 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! See more 01/15/2016 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. See more 09/29/2015 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. See more Read all reviews
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

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Cast & Crew

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Rex Ingram

Director

Rudolph Valentino

Julio Desnoyers

Alice Terry

Marguerite Laurier

Pomeroy Cannon

Madariaga

Josef Swickard

Marcelo Desnoyers

Brinsley Shaw

Celendonio

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The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) View more photos

Movie Info

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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