Viewed on DVD. Restoration = one (1) star. A "three hankie" rough cut movie and excellent historic film with inter-titles instead of subtitles (since it's silent). Restoration is in evidence, but cutting artifacts (between shots) remain in this version (was the original source material a rough-cut version?). These artifacts occur between EVERY scene and are MAJOR distractions. Directing/editing is often startling and usually first rate. Acting is hammy and more appropriate for live theater than a movie theater. It circles back to what was considered normal when photo plays emerged in the first decade of the 20th century. Makeup (ranging from over-the-top to essentially none) does not help matters. Indoor sets are minimal if not down right primitive. A major plot point (involving firing a gun in a church) remains unclear as to just what happened. A fundamental directing flaw/oversight. The piano score (for this version) is distinctive and highly imaginative. Rather unusual for a silent film not accompanied by an orchestra, the score is written to integrate with rather than distract from what's on the screen. There is no happy ending in evidence for any character--tragedy city big time! WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
Review of Japanese Girls at the Harbor
