Watch Scarlet Dawn

Scarlet Dawn from 1932 is a dramatic movie set in 1917, during the Russian Revolution. Directed by William Dieterle, the film features a talented cast, including Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Nancy Carroll, and Lilyan Tashman. The movie tells the story of a young couple, Harry and Anya, who flee from Russia to America to start a new life. Harry (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) is a soldier fighting in the Russian army during World War I. He befriends a fellow soldier, Nicky, who is also his commander's nephew. When Harry is injured in battle, Nicky saves his life and asks him to look after his wealthy aunt, the Countess Olga Mironova (Lilyan Tashman), who resides in Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg). Harry agrees, and when he recovers, he visits the Countess and her beautiful ward, Anya (Nancy Carroll).

Anya and Harry fall in love, but they know that their relationship is impossible since she is engaged to her cousin, Prince Volonsky. However, when the Russian Revolution breaks out, Harry and Anya's plans start to change. The Countess dies, and they must flee Petrograd to avoid the chaos and the uncertain future of Russia. They take the chance to leave the country and start a new life in America.

Once in America, they try to adapt to their new home, but the memories of the Revolution and the people they left behind haunt them. Harry finds a job in a steel mill, but he is unhappy and restless, feeling that he has lost his sense of purpose. Meanwhile, Anya struggles to adapt to American society, finding the cultural differences challenging. They both face new personal challenges in addition to the ones they have already gone through.

Scarlet Dawn is an emotional movie that explores the human struggle to overcome adversity and the challenges of starting a new life. The movie reflects upon the theme of love, specifically how the intensity of romantic love can compel people to do extraordinary things, and how it can be a powerful tool to overcome even the most challenging obstacles. The movie also showcases the dramatic social changes before and after the Revolution, and how it impacted people’s lives, relationships, and society.

The cast of Scarlet Dawn was praised for their exceptional performances, particularly Nancy Carroll, who was described as a 'stand-out' actress in the film. Lilyan Tashman was also praised for her portrayal of the Countess, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was praised for his ability to play diverse roles and for his portrayal of the lead role Harry. The beautiful set pieces and costuming were also appreciated, adding to the movie's authenticity and appeal.

Scarlet Dawn's sensitive portrayal of the Revolution was somewhat ahead of its time, considering that the events of the Russian Revolution were still unfolding when the movie was released. The flick was filmed during the early days of sound, resulting in a few technical inconsistencies but still being able to stand the test of time with its dramatic storyline and gripping performances.

In conclusion, Scarlet Dawn is an excellent movie that explores the complexities of love and personal challenges while showcasing the dramatic social changes before and after the Russian Revolution. With a talented cast, beautiful set pieces and costuming, the film is a must-watch for those interested in period dramas and historical events.

Scarlet Dawn is a 1932 drama with a runtime of 57 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.