The Dragon Painter was long considered lost, but was rediscovered in France and brought to the George Eastman House for restoration. Sessue Hayakawa is probably best known for his performance in The Bridge on the River Kwai, but he was actually a silent film star of some acclaim. This film was made through his own production company in 1919, which proves the power he had attained in Hollywood in the silent era.
The film concerns a slightly mad but brilliant artist Tatsu living in the wilds of Japan and painting exquisite portraits of the dragon that he believes has captured his princess/fiancée. Oddly enough, when he finds his true love, he loses his genius to paint.
The princess is played by Hayakawa's real life wife, Tsuru Aoki, and is beautifully shot from a lyrical Japanese perspective.
The film concerns a slightly mad but brilliant artist Tatsu living in the wilds of Japan and painting exquisite portraits of the dragon that he believes has captured his princess/fiancée. Oddly enough, when he finds his true love, he loses his genius to paint.
The princess is played by Hayakawa's real life wife, Tsuru Aoki, and is beautifully shot from a lyrical Japanese perspective.