When I pre-ordered this Blu-Ray back in September 2021, I was looking forward to it as THE SHEIK is a landmark silent movie and Rudolph Valentino's signature role. I have had a copy of THE SHEIK since 1988 when Paramount first issued it on VHS. 35 years later that version remains the best one as it uses an almost flawless print and has an atmospheric soundtrack as accompaniment. There have been only 3 non-public domain DVDs (and countless public domain copies) since then and none of them look as good as the original VHS. I know because I have those 3 DVDs as well.
Despite the ballyhoo surrounding this release as having the latest 4K restoration and being part of the new PARAMOUNT PRESENTS series, it is has not been fully restored. It's a composite of different prints which can be seen by the varying picture quality, and also has a shorter running time (66 minutes vs the Image/Flicker Alley release that is 84 minutes) which is due to a more realistic transfer speed and less screen time for title cards. It's paired with a new synthesizer soundtrack by Roger Bellon and a 100th anniversary featurette, DESERT HEAT.
For those who only know THE SHEIK by reputation, the story is as follows. A wealthy British woman (Agnes Ayres), out on a desert sojourn, is kidnapped by an Arab chieftain (Valentino). Understandably indignant at first, she comes to admire her captor and eventually falls in love with him. Based on a popular novel of the early 1920's, the movie was made as a lark with the cast enjoying themselves by sending up the material. To everyone's surprise (especially Valentino's) the film became a monster hit as well as a cultural phenomenon which would define Hollywood gender roles for decades.
As one of the landmark films of silent cinema, THE SHEIK deserves a top quality edition to celebrate its 100th anniversary. This new PARAMOUNT PRESENTS version isn't it but will do until Paramount decides to utilize their original 1988 release as the source print for future releases. The only other quality Blu-Ray version out there is the 2017 one from Kino Classics. Kino gives you a longer running time at 75 minutes with marginally better picture quality but minus the new soundtrack and featurette. It also sells for $15 wheras this edition retails for $25...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.
Despite the ballyhoo surrounding this release as having the latest 4K restoration and being part of the new PARAMOUNT PRESENTS series, it is has not been fully restored. It's a composite of different prints which can be seen by the varying picture quality, and also has a shorter running time (66 minutes vs the Image/Flicker Alley release that is 84 minutes) which is due to a more realistic transfer speed and less screen time for title cards. It's paired with a new synthesizer soundtrack by Roger Bellon and a 100th anniversary featurette, DESERT HEAT.
For those who only know THE SHEIK by reputation, the story is as follows. A wealthy British woman (Agnes Ayres), out on a desert sojourn, is kidnapped by an Arab chieftain (Valentino). Understandably indignant at first, she comes to admire her captor and eventually falls in love with him. Based on a popular novel of the early 1920's, the movie was made as a lark with the cast enjoying themselves by sending up the material. To everyone's surprise (especially Valentino's) the film became a monster hit as well as a cultural phenomenon which would define Hollywood gender roles for decades.
As one of the landmark films of silent cinema, THE SHEIK deserves a top quality edition to celebrate its 100th anniversary. This new PARAMOUNT PRESENTS version isn't it but will do until Paramount decides to utilize their original 1988 release as the source print for future releases. The only other quality Blu-Ray version out there is the 2017 one from Kino Classics. Kino gives you a longer running time at 75 minutes with marginally better picture quality but minus the new soundtrack and featurette. It also sells for $15 wheras this edition retails for $25...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.