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Early in the month, I had the chance to watch a 1932 Pre-Code film called Kongo. Well, West of Zanzibar is an earlier silent adaptation of the same material. Starring Lon Chaney as Phroso, the film follows his journey to the depths of the African jungle in his attempt to seek revenge against the man that left him paralyzed.
West of Zanzibar is actually very similar to Kongo. Obviously, they're based on the same story, but the whole script, look and feel of the film is very much the same. So having seen Kongo first, I have to admit there was a sense of "been there, done that" to it. This film follows pretty much the same beats so there were no surprises in it, and I think the more raw, "Pre-Code" approach from the other film benefitted the story.
I did appreciate how director Tod Browning adds more to the backstory of Phroso, as we see the events that left him how he is and led him to the Congo. I also enjoyed the bigger focus on Phroso's magician schtick; something that I felt the other film doesn't dwell much in. However, as much as I love Chaney, I thought his performance was very subdued, which might be me subconsciously it to Walter Huston's great scenery-chewing in Kongo.
Again, having seen both films within the span of three weeks, it's impossible for me not to compare them. I think both films are pretty good, but I think I would primarily recommend the later version. Regardless of that, West of Zanzibar still worked for me as a curiosity, but also as another glimpse of Chaney's masterful acting, and how one minute he's a fiend, and the next, he's almost human.
Grade:
WEST OF ZANZIBAR
(1928, Browning)
A film with Lon Chaney
(1928, Browning)
A film with Lon Chaney
"You're a puzzle, Dead-Legs. One minute you're a fiend and the next... you're almost human."
Early in the month, I had the chance to watch a 1932 Pre-Code film called Kongo. Well, West of Zanzibar is an earlier silent adaptation of the same material. Starring Lon Chaney as Phroso, the film follows his journey to the depths of the African jungle in his attempt to seek revenge against the man that left him paralyzed.
West of Zanzibar is actually very similar to Kongo. Obviously, they're based on the same story, but the whole script, look and feel of the film is very much the same. So having seen Kongo first, I have to admit there was a sense of "been there, done that" to it. This film follows pretty much the same beats so there were no surprises in it, and I think the more raw, "Pre-Code" approach from the other film benefitted the story.
I did appreciate how director Tod Browning adds more to the backstory of Phroso, as we see the events that left him how he is and led him to the Congo. I also enjoyed the bigger focus on Phroso's magician schtick; something that I felt the other film doesn't dwell much in. However, as much as I love Chaney, I thought his performance was very subdued, which might be me subconsciously it to Walter Huston's great scenery-chewing in Kongo.
Again, having seen both films within the span of three weeks, it's impossible for me not to compare them. I think both films are pretty good, but I think I would primarily recommend the later version. Regardless of that, West of Zanzibar still worked for me as a curiosity, but also as another glimpse of Chaney's masterful acting, and how one minute he's a fiend, and the next, he's almost human.
Grade: