The Valley of the Giants

I had the chance to see this film at the Bronco Billy Silent Film Festival Last night in Niles Canyon California, old home of Essanay Film Studios and where Chaplin made many movies.

I originally gave this movie a 10 but after review I was lacking motivational background on the characters for the father and his rival, a little explanation or a few quick scenes to develop their positions with their employees would have been helpful.

It was an old classic, full of the old tales of building something from nothing, fights and heroism despite bad blood between Company heads. Sympathy for one and indifference for the other abound.

A final showdown and climactic accident are a part of the fun. The facial features are subtle and convey an emotional range adequate for the movie and providing sympathy, yet no REAL villain, merely business being business.

The scenes involving the Seqouias are wonderful, though not as spectacular as in color, BUT the black and white does contrast the size well.

One of the best scenes involves business discussions and the obtuse manner in which things are done to avoid detection by their rivals.