FINE BRILLIANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 512, 15 November 1928, Page 17

FINE BRILLIANCE

“PRINCE OF ADVENTURERS” Just once in a while there comes to the public arena an entertainment worthy of every superlative, taxing the most extravagant descriptive powers of its observer. Such a one is "Prince of Adventurers,” the Universal FilQi de France which opened its Auckland Reason at the Strand yesterday. All criticism is based, necessarily, on comparison, and, for that reason, it can only be said that "Prince of Adventurers” represents the screen’s tinest offering to date. In every department of cinema art it sets new standards and reaches entirely new fields of achievement. Up to the present, motion pictures have been progressing and improving. The probability is that they will continue to improve in ways yet undreamed of, yet it is difficult to believe that a production superior to “Prince of Adventurers” is possible. _____ Filmed in the most beautiful cities and places of Europe, this film is a kaleidoscopic presentation ©f romantic love and adventure on sea and land, in castLe and hamlet, city and village. From a scenic point of view' alone it is superb, the Snows of Russia vieing in beauty with th© blue-canopied sunshine of Italy and Southern France. The man-made settings are alm o s t breath-

Masjoukine. catching- in their lovely colouring and immense size. By courtesy of the authorities, practically the whole of Venice was placed at the disposal of the wizard Continental producers, and the great crowd, ceremonial, and merry-making scenes on the lagoons and in the castles beggar description. Through this panorama of pomp and brilliance, under a dozen different climes, moves the arresting figure of the Prince of Adventurers —a gay. daring philanderer who is hunted from city to city and realm to realm —idol of court ladies and fisher girls, king of ranier and duelling pistol. The casting of the picture is one of its special features, and we have not seen a stronger parade of real talent before one set of cameras. The majority of the players are new to Auckland, but at their head is Ivan Mosjoukine Europe’s rival of Emil Jannings—a handsome actor of striking personality who gives the greatest characterisation of his career in the name part. Other names worthy of particular ~<ote are Suzanne Bianchetti. Rina de Tjguoro, Jenny Jugo. Klein-Rogge Paul Guide and Diana Karenne. Each nlavs a prominent part and each Is perfectly fitted to the requirements of his or her role. The theme of “Prince of Adventur «rs” is the oldest in the world; th« usual, so-called “message” of the plot, conspicuous by its absence. The production is an extravaganza pure and simple—the delightful tale of a superlover and daring adventurer who is a personification of the dream castles and secret ideals of every struggling human. Briefly. “Prince of Adventurers is all that we expected of a mucliheralded and highly-rated spectacle Each sequence is a scintillating jewel of rare magnitude, and its loveliness is contrasted with the gripping excitement of its action. The Strand programme last evening was a strong and suitable one, while Eve Bentlev and her orchestra played d-rightful rogramme of music, including the overture, “Tales of Hoffman.”