The Sheik

The art of film can be discussed on various types and eras particularly the Golden Era, Italian Neo realism, French New Wave, New Hollywood etc. But the first Silent Films that pre dated the cinema we know today paved the way for all the other eras that came after.

There are a great number of Silent films made all those years ago most of them are often overlooked, one film in particular was "The Sheik" (directed by George Melford) that smashed Box office records in the early years and also made then up and coming Rudolph Valentino a superstar and sex symbol.

Today few people remember Valentino and he is often omitted as one of the first great actors and superstars on the early history of cinema. I think probably the reason was his untimely death and the misfortune of him being typecast as no more than a Sex symbol and "Latin Lover".

In his first leading role Valentino plays a rich, young impulsive Arab named Ahmed ben Hassen who kidnaps Lady Diana Mayo (Agnes Ayres) a strong minded independent British ex-patriate who hates the idea of marriage. She meets her match in Ahmed who kidnaps her after being left alone by her brother in the desert. It is amusing to think that a european girl would risk wandering in the desert where lots of dangerous and feuding Arabs would wander like Ahmed.

Inside Ahmed's tent his intentions were obvious when Diana asked why she was kidnapped, he responded "Are you not woman enough to know"?
It is also clear to me now why women swooned over Valentino, his eyes glowed with passion and his grin devilish enough to show his character as a man who will not be denied of the hunger for the woman he wants to posses. I once read a review of "The Sheik" that Valentino was never that good an actor from which I strongly disagree, he was able to show Ahmed through the eyes of people who may  not have seen an Arab in real life.

                                   Agnes Ayres and Adolph Menjou in one of his early roles

His character was despicable and was almost depicted as hypersexual but he was able to show a compassionate character amidst the portrayal of a caricature of an Arab.

Ahmed's character though has flaws particularly the depiction of rich Arabs as lawless savages who lived in the wilderness and drowned themselves in excess and self indulgence. It just shows the lack of knowledge of the culture and the knowledge about Arabs during that time which is a stark contrast from the epic film "Lawrence of Arabia" decades later.

What was also controversial during that time was the intent of rape that was fairly obvious though not shown on the film, I thought the depiction and treatment of women were a little neanderthal making her look weak and helpless most of the time though Im sure it was not George Melford's intent. Though highly controversial at the time it spawned a sequel "Son of The Sheik" which grossed more than the first film and helped contribute to the Valentino legend. 
Today even with all of the flaws mentioned it was still a good film worth watching if you are a student of Cinema, this film is a valuable part of history.

Grade: B-