Watching this today is akin to taking a trip in a time machine. That is, to a time when a snub or a peccadillo had serious social consequences, when an exposed ankle was suggestive and daring, and when the presence of an assertive, sexualized vamp had power to shock us.
Sadly, however, this scores low on the scale of cinematic value; whatever luster it once had isn't evident today.
The story itself is a simple, if lurid, morality play, and nothing more. The intertitles are designed to lead us to the inevitable "see what happens!" conclusion. Nowadays, we expect a bit of irony, a degree of ambivalence.
Likewise with the cinematography...all quite straightforward storytelling, with no narrative games. The filter color changes don't denote anything. In short, this is a depleted asset.
Sadly, however, this scores low on the scale of cinematic value; whatever luster it once had isn't evident today.
The story itself is a simple, if lurid, morality play, and nothing more. The intertitles are designed to lead us to the inevitable "see what happens!" conclusion. Nowadays, we expect a bit of irony, a degree of ambivalence.
Likewise with the cinematography...all quite straightforward storytelling, with no narrative games. The filter color changes don't denote anything. In short, this is a depleted asset.