Rudolph Valentino and Agnes Ayres in The Sheik (1921)
The brilliant and charismatic Rudolph Valentino plays Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan, an absolute ruler in his part of the Sahara. He is conflicted between his Arabic upbringing and his education in Paris, which makes him complex and often dark in character.
Agnes Ayres is also excellent as Lady Diana Mayo. She is determined to explore the desert and local society on her own terms, even though it sometimes puts her and others at risk.
There is physical attraction between the two, but their strong characters impede even friendship. The film is mainly a love story, but it is also about a perceived clash of culture and, to a lesser extent, an action thriller. Omair, the bandit, is rather one dimensional, but the other parts are well drawn, especially the Skeik’s old friend Dr. Raoul de St. Hubert (Adolphe Menjou).
I know that regular readers are very concerned about social attitudes, so here’s partial reassurance. When the film is seen to the end, the attitude towards women is enlightened. It does, however, view western society as far superior to its probably inaccurate perception of Arabic society. Sorry I can’t change a portrayal made a century ago. Overall I am pleased, however, that I watched this complex and well made film.
(11/07/2021)
