The Sheik / The Son of the Sheik (Special Edition)

Rating:
Summary: I LOVE Valentino! Sheik lover here!
Review: First off, great reviews here. Just wondering if this edition has the in/famous rape scene, or has it been cut out, as on the VHS version ? Thanks. [ Stars for the uncensored version ]

Rating:
Summary: An Evening with Valentino...
Review: His name has become somewhat of a catchphrase today, and, with these films, it's not hard to see why. Not only are you offered both "Sheik" films (1920 and 1926), but you are treated to such "extras" as a newsreel covering Rudy as he judges a beauty contest in NYC, and a VERY exploitive short that simply has our star basking by the water's edge at the seashore--no plot--just Rudy in his (vintage) 20's bathing suit!
Women back then loved him...men hated him--but, yet envied him. I was personally disappointed with the print of "Son of the Sheik," however...I'd originally purchased the IMAGE version, which is stark, sharp, and crisp...this KINO version is dulled and seemingly washed-out. "The Sheik" is NOT the version that was shown a few years ago on AMC...as part of the Film Preservation project...the tinting is VERY strong, sometimes washing out the image. But, for those who want a double-feature + a nice array of "extras," you'll be 95% satisfied with this disc.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable period pieces
Review: I agree with the general consensus that 'Son of the Sheik' is by far the superior of these two movies. It might not have the same type of sweeping panoramic shots of the desert, but the plot and acting are much more complex. By today's standards, 'The Sheik' seems more like a fun period piece, with some campy hokey moments. The plot really isn't that complex; independent woman wants to take a tour alone into the desert, winds up kidnapped by a sexy young sheik, fights against her new role, and just when she's fallen in love with him she's kidnapped by another man and has to be taken back. And though it might be his best-known movie, Rudy does little more than leer or gaze at Agnes Ayers's character of Diana for much of the movie (though the look on his face when he confronts Omair to take back what's his is incredible!). The acting in the sequel is much more fluid and evolved. By comparison, though the plot starts out simply enough, there are far more complex developments and twists and turns. I also loved the short guy (Son of an Owl?), who seemed like the comic relief. This is one of those instances where a sequel is actually better than the original!

Rating:
Summary: Rating the movie-NOT THE DVD QUALITY
Review: I am so glad that I bought this movie on the basis of reading other reviews. To watch Valentino for the first time is quite impressive. Most people would not think of watching a silent movie and I was one of them until now. With his facial expressions, he does not need to talk. Since viewing this, I have ordered all the rest of them, Do yourself a favor and watch at least the son of the sheik which is the better of the two. And now on to the DVD Quality. It stinks. I don't know where everyone says it a great transfer. A great transfer would look like the latest Criterion --Beauty and the Beast. Anyone with a big screen digital tv watching this will think any reviewer that says the dvd quality is good has a screw loose. It needs to be restored one frame at a time. But that would require a company willing to spend a lot of money and a long time to do. We can only hope---------

Rating:
Summary: Rating the movie-NOT THE DVD QUALITY
Review: I am so glad that I bought this movie on the basis of reading other reviews. To watch Valentino for the first time is quite impressive. Most people would not think of watching a silent movie and I was one of them until now. With his facial expressions, he does not need to talk. Since viewing this, I have ordered all the rest of them, Do yourself a favor and watch at least the son of the sheik which is the better of the two. And now on to the DVD Quality. It stinks. I don't know where everyone says it a great transfer. A great transfer would look like the latest Criterion --Beauty and the Beast. Anyone with a big screen digital tv watching this will think any reviewer that says the dvd quality is good has a screw loose. It needs to be restored one frame at a time. But that would require a company willing to spend a lot of money and a long time to do. We can only hope---------

Rating:
Summary: Great value DVD
Review: I loved this DVD. Two of Valentino's best films on one disc, both presented in good prints and with brand new soundtracks (the new soundtrack to The Sheik is a massive improvement on the old VHS release). Both films are enjoyable in their own right for many reasons and play very well together in a double bill. I'd recommend this disc to anyone interested in Valentino or silent movies - and if you enjoy these films check out Rudy in Blood and Sand - dreamy!

Rating:
Summary: I LOVE Valentino! Sheik lover here!
Review: I've always been "in love" with the "older" male movie stars, those who are no longer around. I am twenty-seven years old but I love such actors as Tyrone Powers, Clark Gable, Laurence Olivier, to name a few.Now added to my favorite men is Rudolph Valentino! I've heard of him and how he was a sex symbol of his time, the silent film era. Curious, I bought this DVD, "The Sheik/The Son of the Sheik" At first I thought the story corny, and the music was more like elevator music. I really thought I couldn't go through with a silent film. Then...BOOM! I see Rudolph Valentino, his eyes, his face....I got shivers watching him. I didn't need to hear his voice, although I wish I could! He is sooooo sexy and soooo...I don't know what to call it, I guess he's just got "IT"! Sex appeal?
The rest of the characters were all a blur to me. Valentino's looks and expressions did not need words! His eyes "speak". Those bedroom eyes!
In both movies, he is your typical alpha male. He kind of reminded me of Yul Brynner (who by the way, is another babe!)in "The King of Siam".
As for the quality of the movie, I'd say it's pretty darn good! I think they did a good job for an "old" movie. It's not how a movie looks "now" to us, but just keep in mind that it's a 1921 movie.

Rating:
Summary: Still The Dark Lover
Review: I've been seeing these films all of my life thanks to such shows as Silents Please! and silent film festivals, and I've been a silent film fan forever. I am collecting some of the films I have on DVD, why not? I really enjoyed this special edition with the added treat of a few short subjects on Valentino. The quality is superb. If anyone hasn't seen Valentino on film, this is a good place to start. Except for a few places, Valentino's acting is unlike other silent film star's who often had to rather overdo it to get a point across, and he is the first time I felt like a silent film star was moving in "my speed!" I keep forgetting that I won't be hearing his voice. I love the part where he sings...
www.moonchildiva.com

Rating:
Summary: Still The Dark Lover
Review: I've been seeing these films all of my life thanks to such shows as Silents Please! and silent film festivals, and I've been a silent film fan forever. I am collecting some of the films I have on DVD, why not? I really enjoyed this special edition with the added treat of a few short subjects on Valentino. The quality is superb. If anyone hasn't seen Valentino on film, this is a good place to start. Except for a few places, Valentino's acting is unlike other silent film star's who often had to rather overdo it to get a point across, and he is the first time I felt like a silent film star was moving in "my speed!" I keep forgetting that I won't be hearing his voice. I love the part where he sings...
www.moonchildiva.com

Rating:
Summary: Ahmed, I love you!!
Review: My goodness - How I wish I'd been around in 1920's Hollywood!! - This is a wonderful look back at Rudolph Valentino's two Sheik movies (the second in which he plays his former self, as well as his own son - check out the funny splicing effects!!) - as well as extras of his 88 beauties pageant tour, "The Sheiks Physique" (Rowr!!), and sadly, an account of his funeral. It's been 80 years, and still there is as yet no one who has risen to the ranks of Rudolph Valentino. He is as unique today as he was in the 1920's - and equally alluring. This is a must-have DVD for silent film fans, Valentino fans, and anyone interested in seeing beauty personified!!