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4.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 4.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. A Son of the Plains remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Okay, so, A Son of the Plains. Is this one for you? Probably! If you're into old silent Westerns, or just curious about how they did things back in '25, this is a pretty solid watch. It’s got all the classic shootouts and chases. But, if you need snappy dialogue and a pristine HD picture, you might struggle a bit. Don't go in expecting a modern blockbuster, obviously. It's a different beast.
The whole thing kicks off with Al St. John as this new deputy. He’s got to deal with a real mess, mostly because of his sweetheart's father. This dad, he's got this wild idea to catch a bandit.
The bandit in question? Someone famous for wearing a *polka dot bandanna*. I mean, how specific is that? You gotta wonder about the fashion choices of outlaws sometimes. 🤠
It gets interesting when the dad's plan involves a Wells Fargo robbery. Not just *any* robbery, but one he orchestrates to catch this bandit. So, our deputy is suddenly in a bind.
His duty vs. his girl's family. A tale as old as time, maybe, but still effective here. The stakes feel pretty real, even without sound.
Al St. John, he’s pretty good. He does a lot with his face, you know? A lot of expressive eyebrow work and wide eyes.
He’s got that sort of physical comedy thing going on, even when it's supposed to be serious. Sometimes, a little *too* much.
Like, there’s a moment where he’s realizing the depth of the dad’s scheme, and his reaction shot just... lingers. You almost expect him to wink at the camera. It doesn't quite work, but it's memorable.
The action scenes are, well, *silent film action*. Lots of galloping horses. Fists flying. Things