Cyrano de Bergerac

(Augusto Genina, Italy 1922, 104 min., 35mm)

Silent Tuesdays. One of James Card’s particular treasures that he brought to George Eastman House—and in fact was the very last film he saw in the Dryden Theatre—was this exquisitely conceived silent version of Edmond Rostand’s play. Director Augusto Genina inventively visualizes Rostand’s characters and poetry, and even literally does so in the famous verbal duel scene between the gallant title character and the dullard who mocks his appearance, running text through the images. Not the least of the film’s attractions is its beautiful coloring. It is in full color, but not Technicolor; it has its hues “painted” on the film itself by a stenciling process, which give it a luster akin to vivid watercolor. This will be an optically poetic experience in many ways—one not to be missed.

Live piano accompaniment by Philip C. Carli.