Considering that less than half of the original film exists today and that the rest of the movie was pieced together using stills and title cards, it is very difficult to objectively rate this film. However, despite this, I was a little surprised how favorable all the other reviews were here on IMDb. While I do agree with them that it is very frustrating to see the movie in this "restored" condition, I just can't see it being THAT good a movie--probably even if the entire picture ever is discovered.
The movie has a very bizarre plot to say the least. An Indian king is murdered and his throne usurped. However, his young son is spirited out of the country and is raised by a foster family in America. This boy grows into the character played by Valentino. He's a decent guy but struggles with ESP--having flashes of future events. One such flash helped save his life from a jealous Harvard classmate that tried to kill him. The would-be murderer falls to his own death and Rudy is cleared of all blame--except by the would-be murderer's friends. Oh well, you can't please everyone.
Across the globe, the usurper sees a newspaper clipping about the event and concludes that this MUST be the long lost prince, so he sends agents to America to kill him! Well, Rudy talks precautions that seem awfully lame but still manages to avoid being killed. The usurper is forced to flee the country, Rudy returns to become king and his girl from back in the Good Old US of A comes to him to become his bride.
As you can see, the movie's plot was indeed strange. This strangeness made it interesting to watch, but also made it seem like a lot of hooey to me. Plus, if you had the foreknowledge that people were coming to kill you, you certainly would have taken more reasonable steps to protect yourself--such as going to the police, buying a gun or hiring a group of armed guards--none of which Rudy did! The movie loses a point or two for this plot hole.
All-in-all, an odd a diverting movie but no more. Valentino certainly did better and more complete films.
The movie has a very bizarre plot to say the least. An Indian king is murdered and his throne usurped. However, his young son is spirited out of the country and is raised by a foster family in America. This boy grows into the character played by Valentino. He's a decent guy but struggles with ESP--having flashes of future events. One such flash helped save his life from a jealous Harvard classmate that tried to kill him. The would-be murderer falls to his own death and Rudy is cleared of all blame--except by the would-be murderer's friends. Oh well, you can't please everyone.
Across the globe, the usurper sees a newspaper clipping about the event and concludes that this MUST be the long lost prince, so he sends agents to America to kill him! Well, Rudy talks precautions that seem awfully lame but still manages to avoid being killed. The usurper is forced to flee the country, Rudy returns to become king and his girl from back in the Good Old US of A comes to him to become his bride.
As you can see, the movie's plot was indeed strange. This strangeness made it interesting to watch, but also made it seem like a lot of hooey to me. Plus, if you had the foreknowledge that people were coming to kill you, you certainly would have taken more reasonable steps to protect yourself--such as going to the police, buying a gun or hiring a group of armed guards--none of which Rudy did! The movie loses a point or two for this plot hole.
All-in-all, an odd a diverting movie but no more. Valentino certainly did better and more complete films.