THE SILENT ENEMY On TCM

[gagman66]

This rarely seen film, a late Paramount Silent, produced in 1929, and actually released in 1930, just astounded me. I had never seen it before, even though once had been on DVD about 10 or 11 years ago from Milestone. And before that on Laser-disc back in the early 90's. Both long since out of print. This might have been a TCM premier? To my knowledge it was. Truly a magnificent picture about the Ojibway Indians before Columbus landed. A peaceful people, almost one with nature. I enjoyed seeing the new restorations of THE VANISHING AMERICAN last week, and THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS the other morning, but it my opinion THE SILENT ENEMY was the best of three.

I was completely blown away by this movie. So authentic that it could have actually been made before the time of Columbus, if they had had Motion Picture film in the day. Wow, what a picture. I just can't thank TCM enough for showing this amazing and wonderful film. The views of the wildlife and wilderness were just extraordinary. I loved the two bear cubs. Powerful and moving performances too, by mostly all real Indian actors. Truly an outstanding feature.

I just wish TCM could have been run the film a little earlier in the evening. This movie deserves a very large audience. It would also be nice to see a fresh transfer struck, although it still looked 10 times better than NANOOK OF THE NORTH did in Prime-time. Nonetheless, it would still be great to see a newer and improved restoration of THE SILENT ENEMY as well. To David Shepard, would I buty a DVD set of these three films? You bet that I would! Hopefully, this will come to pass soon.

If I have a gripe with the Native American's festival, it is that by far the two most battered looking Silent's aired in Prime-time, NANOOK, and THE SQUAW MAN while much better print material was broadcast in the Wee-small hours of the night. That being said it was a fascinating festival this year with allot of good movies scattered throughout the line-up.

[kelly]

I did DVR the Silent enemy last night whoa I was amazed

Nanook of the North that was good movie too hey Gagman I spent time up in Alaska I first was hear about this film from Alaskan native teacher who taught at University of Alaska at Fairbanks he told me about that film

So sad that main actor in Nanooth of the North they didn't know what really happen if turn out be true if he really died of TB that be sad to know