Garbo and Gilbert - The Beauty of Silence

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Uploaded by on May 22, 2010

This famous scene from `Flesh and the Devil (1926) is an exemplar of silent film art. No sound sequence could match its romantic intensity. Despite the intertitles, what makes the scene unforgettable is the way it depicts the moments for which there are no words; the times where the deepest communications occur in silence.

Though we instinctively look to Garbo today, Gilbert was the more famous of the two when `Flesh and the Devil' was filmed. He was considered a master of the intense romantic moment, and he discovered just how important they were when sound arrived. Scenes such as this, when accompanied by hackneyed and unnecessary dialogue, completely lost their sense of intimacy.

While it is often claimed that Gilbert's voice was unsuited to sound, it was in fact his persona that could not make the transition. Had he still been alive, Rudolph Valentino would probably have suffered the same fate.

As Gilbert's star fell, Garbo's soared - perhaps because her natural reserve and the mystery behind her eyes proved as compelling as silence in any role, no matter the dialogue.

FOOTAGE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FAIR USE PROVISIONS OF THE DIGITAL MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT ACT. OWNERSHIP IS NEITHER IMPLIED NOR ASSERTED.

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Uploader Comments (Ravenclawed)

  • The soloist in this beautiful piece is named Felicity Lott. The song, `Invitation to a Voyage', is based on a poem by Charles Baudelaire. I think it fits the action perfectly!

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All Comments (12)

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  • The music destroys this great scene! Uggg

  • The passion between these two lit the screen a fire.

    One of the most exotic scenes ever to be filmed.

  • that's one of th emost beautiful things I ve ever seen. Thank you!

  • absolutely fucking brilliant!!!!!

  • Inspired choice of music. I think I will be viewing this clip many times in the future.

  • Gilbert was done a disservice.

  • Fabulous!!!! Thank you.

  • could you tell me who the soloist is on this soundtrack?

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