THE UNDESIRABLE (1914) DVD - LILI BERKY, VICTOR VACONTI, MARI JASZAI

Description: From Michael Curtiz (best known as the director of Casablanca) comes an early silent gem thought to be lost forever. Featuring a newly commissioned score by Attila Pacsay, it follows a country girl's journey to the city as she searches for love and the mother she never knew. Stars Lili Berky and featuring Mari Jászai in her film debut. THE UNDESIRABLE - 1914 Also known as THE EXILE Known in Hungary as A tolonc Betty (Lili Berky, Duel For Nothing), a young woman living in the country, is told by her dying father that he is really her uncle and raised her as his own when her mother was sent to prison for killing her husband. Alone and not knowing her mother's fate, Betty travels to the city in search of work. There she finds employment as a maid in the house of a wealthy couple and their dashing son, Nick (Victor Varconi, For Whom The Bell Tolls), with whom she falls in love. When Betty is fired from her position after being unjustly accused of theft and escorted from the village, an ironic twist of fate propels the story forward with the sudden appearance of her mother Sarah (Mari Jászai, Bánk Bán) - presumed dead but recently released from prison - on a quest of her own to find her daughter. The Exile (Hungarian: A tolonc, also known in English by the title The Undesirable) is a 1914 Hungarian silent film directed by Michael Curtiz. The Undesirable, a silent film treasure thought to be lost forever, was recently discovered in the basement of the Hungarian House cultural center in New York and returned to Hungary for restoration. An eight-month restoration and digitization process was completed by the Hungarian Filmlab, with support from the Hungarian National Digital Archive and Film Institute and the Hungarian National Film Fun, and funded by the Hungarian National Film Foundation. Noted Hollywood producer Andrew Vajna (Terminator, Rambo, Nixon, Angel Heart) played a major role in overseeing the restoration process. The Undesirable features a newly commissioned score by Attila Pacsay (the renowned composer of cinematic pieces including the Academy Award nominated short The Maestro) performed by the Pannonia Symphony Orchestra, and conducted by Peter Illenyi. As a silent film enthusiast, I am constantly amazed at the rediscovery of old movies long thought to be lost. Many were discovered in archives in Russia and Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, occasionally, some turn up in unexpected places like THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC in a closet in a Norwegian asylum or a Mary Pickford film in a barn in New England. THE UNDESIRABLE was recently located in the basement of a Hungarian culture center in New York and returned to Hungary for restoration. The movie is a major find as it gives us the opportunity to view an early work from his native country of one of Hollywood's legendary directors .Mikhaly Kertesz (who would become Michael Curtiz in America and later direct CASABLANCA) made this 1914 adaptation of a then well known Hungarian play. While the scenario is a pretty standard affair of a servant falsely accused of theft, the film is a remarkable historical document of turn of the 20th century Hungary. The peasant costumes worn by all the characters are visually striking and absolutely authentic (because they're the real deal) while the use of outdoor locations are like picture postcards. Although there is no camera movement in a film of this vintage, Curtiz's camera setups are direct and effective and show an early eye for how to compose a shot.The performances are a little broad at times but then the characters are meant to be country folk. The actors occasionally step out and gesture directly to the camera (like an aside on stage) but that was normal for European silent cinema at this time. The story concerns a young village girl who goes to the city and finds employment as a maid. After being falsely accused of theft (making her THE UNDESIRABLE of the title), she is forced to go back to her village where her mother, whom she thought dead, has returned after being in jail for murdering her abusive husband. There is a reunion and a highly unexpected twist before the happy ending. The fact that this film even exists, and in such pristine condition, and with such an amazing restoration and a beautiful new score... is mind boggling. This is perhaps the most stunning silent film restoration I've ever seen among the hundreds of home video releases I've viewed over the years. You'll be hard pressed to find a single scratch throughout the film's 66 minutes. The film itself is also a joy to behold, especially when you consider that this is pre-Birth of a Nation. Bravo to the restoration team, and bravo to Olive Films! If you're a fan of silent cinema, this disc is an absolute no-brainer. HAPPY VIEWING!!!!! This fantastic DVD is BRAND NEW...NEVER OPENED...STILL SEALED Will be shipped VERY SECURELY! Will Combine Shipping PAYMENT THRU PAYPAL THANKS FOR LOOKING! " a poor who is honest is never unhappy"

Price: 20.5 USD

Location: Lake Stevens, Washington

End Time: 2025-01-21T02:24:00.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.45 USD