Behind the Door

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Nick M @RT62896014 Oct 9, 2024 I am so impressed by this picture that I don't know where to start. The beginning and ending sequences are some of the most beautiful and well crafted I've seen from this era. The cemetery silhouetted against the pink and blue sea, the mountains and lighthouse in the distance - as this old man wanders into the scene and stops to visit a prominent headstone, itself awash in the brilliant colors of the setting sun - it's as near perfect a thing as cinematography can hope to capture. This is particularly true when watching a second time, after one is familiar with the story. Willat has Hobart Bosworth's character enter his old shop in double exposure like a ghost, which is just one of the details from this sequence that had me riveted. Bosworth is phenomenal in this. There are three phases of his characterization, and each is just as good as the others. I was continuously surprised by how the story unfolded. I don't even want to say anything about it because it just has to be experienced. Where did Irvin Willat come from?! This is only the second of his films I've seen, and the first (The Grim Game) was one I could barely get through. He's an *extraordinary* talent, and despite having read several books on the early silent period I am stunned that I have no recollection of ever having heard of him. Absolutely one of my favorite films from this year. See more Read all reviews

Behind the Door

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