Silent Films are not always everyone’s cup of tea. You have to do some reading while watching them and there is no spoken dialogue. Some people just don’t like them. But hear me out: Here are 10 Silent Films for people who don’t like Silent Films.
The Big Parade (1925)
The Big Parade is about a man (John Gilbert) who enlists during World War I. While away in France, he falls in love with a woman (Renee Adoree) even though they don’t speak the same language. This movie shows the harsh realities of the First World War but it also has a beautiful love story. It has epic battle scenes and has John Gilbert at his finest. It is a little long, but well worth the watch.
City Lights (1931)
City Lights is the story of Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp character who meets a blind woman (Virginia Cherrill) and instantly falls in love with her. He then saves a millionaire (Harry Myers) from committing suicide and becomes good friends with him. Through this friendship, he raises money for an operation for the blind woman. This film isn’t 100% silent because there are some thought-out sound effects throughout the movie. It was released when movies had sound, after all.
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
Sherlock Jr. is the story of a projectionist (Buster Keaton) who longs to become a detective. When he is framed for a crime he did not commit, he goes into full detective mode to exonerate himself. This film is full of moments where you will laugh out loud, due to Keaton’s slapstick comedy. You don’t need to hear to see what hilarious things he would do for the camera.
It (1927)
It (not to be confused with the horror movie of the same name) stars the “It” girl, Clara Bow. Bow plays a shopgirl who wants to date a rich playboy (Antonio Moreno). This movie has some of the best flapper fashions to ever grace the screen! It also solidified Clara Bow as a bonafide star. What is not to love about that?
Metropolis (1927)
Metropolis is sort of hard to explain. The plot may be a little out there, but the visuals of Metropolis make it a stunning experience. This was one of the first Science Fiction films and it truly is a spectacle to behold.
The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927)
Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog is about a landlady (Marie Ault) who suspects that her newest lodger (Ivor Novello) is actually a madman who has been going around town killing women. This is probably one of Hitchcock’s best Silent Films and it has a lot of themes that were prevalent throughout his movies. The suspense is strong in this film — you’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans is the story of a man (George O’Brien) who falls in love with a city girl (Margaret Livingston). The problem is, he already has a wife (Janet Gaynor). The city girl convinces him to get rid of his wife by murdering her, but when the time comes he can’t do it. He then realizes he was truly in love with his wife the whole time. There are some emotional twists and turns in this movie but it’s okay to grab a tissue.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is about Dr. Caligari (Werner Krauss) who is a hypnotist. This hypnotist is a bit sinister though, because he uses Cesare (Conrad Veidt), a sleepwalker, to commit murders. Could this all be the truth or a delusion? You have to watch to find out! This horror movie might be over 100 years old, but it is still a very good one to watch.
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The Crowd (1928)
The Crowd is the story of a husband (James Murray) and wife (Eleanor Boardman) and the ups and downs they encounter in their life together. This one is a tear-jerker, so have your tissues at hand when watching it. This is, after all, mainly a drama film.
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Flesh and the Devil (1926)
Flesh and the Devil is about two childhood friends (John Gilbert and Lars Hanson) who have a falling out after falling in love with the same woman (Greta Garbo). The childhood friends even go to have a duel with each other (yes, it is that serious). The main draw here is John Gilbert and Greta Garbo on the screen together. They had chemistry like no other!
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