A Film Review of The Sheik

 
A Film Review of The Sheik
There are a lot of people who can hardly comprehend the beauty and perfection of silent
movies that were so popular at the beginning of the 1900s. Nowadays, people prefer to watch
actions, admire actors’ appearance, listen to the actors' dialogues, and enjoy special effects
being abundant in almost every film. However, there are some silent movies that may also
capture one's attention, and the film The Sheik is one of the brightest examples. It was directed
by George Melford in 1912 with Rudolph Valentino and Agnes Ayres starring there. The Sheik
is the story about love, passion, patience, and other feelings peculiar to the relations between
men and women; however, it is wrong to believe that this movie is only about male superiority
over women. The Sheik introduces spectators into the world of Middle Eastern people with their
own rules and requirements. The movie proves that love and relations play a significant role for
everyone irrespective of one's position in society, color of skin, and age; it is an important
milestone in movie industry and will always be regarded accordingly.
The beginning of the 1900s was a crucial period in the history of cinema due to the
rapid development of silent movie industry. Harsh make up, attention to lighting systems, and
the necessity of title cards also known as intertitles – all these are the peculiar features of any
silent movie, and The Sheik is not an exception to the rule. In spite of the fact that the plot of
this film is more or less predictable, it is never boring to follow the development of the relations
between the main characters and their mutual readiness to help each other. Despite that it is not
based on real events, the fact that The Sheik depicts the stereotypes that are inherent to the
Middle Eastern people living in deserts is evident and obvious. For instance, male domination
is part of the Middle Easternway of life, which may amaze a modern person, but a native of the
Middle East got used to this idea. The Sheik represents the idea of women obedience to men
without considering their personal interests and wishes.
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The image of Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan helps to comprehend the extent to which the
position of a man is strong and crucial in their society. In spite of the fact that he is able to love
and respect women, his position does not allow him to demonstrate his true feelings. The
society demands him to be strict and reserved corresponding to the rules and conditions
accepted in it. Therefore, he follows the rules; however, at the same time, he does not forget
about his personal wishes and principles.
Another important character in the movie is an independent British woman Lady Diana
Mayo, who cannot accept the idea of getting married, lose her independence, and get forever
obedient to one man only. In the movie, Diana refuses to accept the fact that she can fall in
love, and that her existence may become a nightmare if this man is not by her side (The Sheik).
However, within a short period, her obstinacy and willfulness gradually change into care and
love.
These two characters prove that it is possible to save female independence in relations
but at the same time feel respect to each other. Based on their example, one might realize that
destiny is something hard to escape or change. A number of events that happen to them
demonstrate how important and crucial sincere feelings are. In addition, if a person gets a
chance to be in the power of the most amazing feeling, love, one cannot ignore it. Her desire to
get into a casino borrowing an Arabic costume makes for Sheik and Diana’s meeting; her
attempt to escape and a sudden sandstorm stir up the feeling of Sheik’s affection to Diana;
Diana’s abduction and Sheik’s wounding prove that their love is true and mutual (The Sheik).
Such consecutive chain of events seem to be predictable, but it usually leads to the happy end.
In general, The Sheik is one of the most successful silent movies that represents the
nature of relations between people in the Middle East. Although it is mostly focused on loving
affairs, such questions as gender inequality, cultural differences, and awareness about personal
roots are also perfectly discussed in the movie. The director makes a wonderful attempt to unite
the most important human feelings, the necessity to follow traditions and the significance of
human destiny. Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan and Lady Diana Mayo are amazing characters who
provide a viewer with an opportunity to enjoy, feel, and believe that love has a magnificent 
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power to change and improve everything around.
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Work Cited
The Sheik. Directed by George Melford, performance by Rudolph Valentino and Agnes Ayres.
Paramount Pictures, 1921.