Watch The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a 1921 silent war drama film directed by Rex Ingram and starring Rudolph Valentino, Alice Terry, and Pomeroy Cannon. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez. The story follows a wealthy Argentinian family, the Madaris, whose members are divided between the sides of the First World War - the German and the French. The patriarch of the family, Julio Madari, a wealthy Argentinian landowner, sends his son Julio Desnoyers (Rudolph Valentino) to France, hoping that he will be safe from the war. Julio meets and falls in love with Marguerite (Alice Terry), who is French and whose family also supports the war.

As the war rages on, Julio returns to Argentina to reunite with his family, but his once-idyllic life is torn apart by the realities of the world conflict. Julio's cousin, Heinrich von Hartrott (Joseph Swickard), who is German, comes to Argentina to seek refuge with the Madaris. Heinrich's presence causes tension amongst the family and leads to tragic events.

In the midst of family drama and high tensions, Julio and Marguerite's love is put to the test as their respective countries battle on. The film provides a sweeping view of the first World War and its devastating effects as experienced by one family and their loved ones.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse features breathtaking landscapes - from the lush, sprawling countryside of Argentina to the soaring architecture of Paris. The film is notable for its epic battle scenes, such as the extensive two-hour battle sequence that features cavalry charges, battleships, and airplanes. The film's themes of war, love, and family continue to resonate with modern audiences.

Rudolph Valentino's performance as Julio Desnoyers was widely praised and made him an international star. He exhibits a commanding presence, with his expressive eyes and elegant movements. Alice Terry delivers a powerful portrayal of Marguerite, displaying an impressive range of emotions. Both actors have strong chemistry onscreen and their love story helps to ground the larger war spectacle.

In the years following its release, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse became a cultural phenomenon, breaking box office records and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the silent era. The film served as a launching pad for the careers of both Rex Ingram and Rudolph Valentino. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse would be remade twice - once in 1928 and again in 1962 - but the original remains a classic example of a cinematic epic.

In conclusion, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a stunning example of a silent era epic. Despite its age, the film's themes and visuals continue to resonate with audiences. The film's scope, combined with the powerful performances of Rudolph Valentino and Alice Terry, makes The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse a classic that stands the test of time.

The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse is a 1923 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.