Tol'able David

Audience Reviews

View All (9) audience reviews

Nick M A teenage boy has the humble ambition of one day driving his country town's mail wagon. Seldom have such reasonable aims been achieved with such a price, and never has a first day on the job been fraught with such peril. After the blistering disappointment that was The Sheik, I am over the moon with Tol'able David. It is packed with honest performances, genuine humanity, brilliant direction, and an original and thoroughly moving story. It's set in a quaint pastoral town full of ordinary people, and yet for me the plot is as riveting and exciting as if it were a blockbuster epic full of battle scenes. Its emotional impact is even more potent given its unassuming nature. Richard Barthelmess is a triumph in the role of young David, and he is backed by a stellar supporting cast, none of whom are big names. My favorite secondary performance was given by the woman who played his mother: Marion Abbott. The role demanded a wide range of emotions, all of which felt true to character and powerful without becoming melodramatic. And my God, the scenario was masterfully written! I don't want to say anything more about the story because it simply has to be seen to be appreciated, but there is a reason why Photoplay awarded this film with its first annual Medal of Honor. I believe it's the first film I've seen directed by Henry King, and I will be looking out for more of his work in the future. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/16/25 Full Review Audience Member Tonight 18.31 at the "Filmclub 813" ,Köln,Hahnenstr., again with Daniel Kothenschulte at the piano !---Wieder ein grosses,dramatisches Stummfilmerlebnis mit ausgezeichneter Klavierbegleitung ! Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Lillian Gish was on to it when she said Richard Barthelmess had "the most beautiful face of any man who ever went before the camera". To his credit, I find the slapstick shenangians in the beginning of the film quite pleasant. Henry King, however, doesn't quite pull off the Griffith-esque country picaresque, and moreoever doesn't have his delightful conundrums to pull off the ridiculous melodrama either-- particularly the vigilante justice ending falls flat. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Considered by many as a defining silent film that was acted to perfection by Richard Bathloemess who played David. In many ways a melodrama this was predictable but made with passion & care. It's got a heart & a message this film & for 1921 technically it's quite impressive...it's a good old drama... Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member There is a lot of drama going on in this movie, but it's realistic and heartfelt. If you like a good silent drama, see this movie. Personally, it didn't keep my interest enough because it was purely dramatic, and the ending is predictable. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member He must deliver the mail. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Tol'able David

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW