The Beloved Rogue (Silent) (DVD)

The son of a patriot who gave his life for France, Francois Villon grows up with a love for his country above all else. A poet with a taste for wine and women, he thinks nothing of insulting the visiting Duke of Burgundy in front of King Louis XI. Exiled for his crassness, Villon learns that the Duke plans to use his impending marriage to the King's daughter, Charlotte, as part of a scheme to conquer France. Villon concocts a plan that will free his beloved country from Burgundy's clutches while winning him the hand of the beautiful Charlotte along the way.

The Beloved Rogue is stylishly directed by Alan Crosland, who would begin work on his most celebrated film, The Jazz Singer, shortly afterwards. Crosland's direction makes full use of the sumptuous sets created by Academy Award-winning production designer William Cameron Menzies (Things to Come, Gone With the Wind). Known as "The Great Profile" by movie audiences, star John Barrymore was at the height of his popularity during the time of the film's release, having starred in a string of hits including Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), Beau Brummel (1924) and Don Juan (1926). German actor Conrad Veidt, who had found worldwide fame with his unforgettable roles in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and The Student of Prague (1926), was requested specifically by Barrymore to play Louis XI. After the release of The Beloved Rogue, Veidt would choose to stay in America, appearing in classics like The Man Who Laughs (1928), The Thief of Bagdad (1940) and Casablanca (1942). Famed child star Dickie Moore (Oliver Twist) makes his screen debut playing Barrymore as a youth.

• silent