Don Pedro el Cruel (1911) Online

Many times, an entire life once filled with merit and achievement quickly becomes forgotten after just one mishap. That's precisely what happened with film maker Herr Ricardo Baños, known primarily today for his pornographic silent films ( a minor sin secretly commissioned by His Highness Alfonso XIII of Spain ).

But certainly, before such nonsense occurred, Herr Baños had both an interesting and prolific career during the earliest Spanish silent years. In these primitive oeuvres, Herr Baños skillful inventiveness shines through. Keeping in mind the scarce resources of the very early films, the quality of his work stands out for what was such a small Spanish Film making industry during that early period ).

The true merit of Herr Baños' work can be seen in "Don Pedro El Cruel" (1911), in where another Spanish king is involved; Herr Pedro of Castile, known as Peter the Cruel. Here, the film is filled with more earthly worries to deal with and solve in comparison with Herr Baños' later work ( idle and lecherous decadence seen in the flesh films mentioned above…).

The film's theatrical nature can be seen at the beginning, a historically realistic drama that introduced the actors themselves to the camera during the first minutes followed by ( static camera ) filmed scenes in a pure theatrical manor of acting and décors. But soon after, everything changes; the action takes place in an outdoor setting where can be seen some medium-length shots, careful art direction, and a solid cinematographic continuity for the parameters of such an early time certifying Herr Baños' true artistic concern for his work.

Unfortunately the second reel is missing so we cannot completely appreciate Herr Baños's skillful inventiveness at its full length; although you can certainly know what happened with Herr Peter of Castile and the conspiracy against him by his three bastard brothers ( if you have a dusty reference library at hand ). In spite of such inconvenience, the surviving reel has enough remarkable film achievement to restore to Herr Baños' his lost silent honor as a very important Spanish pioneer film director, and not simply the one who ( in a moment of weakness ), once directed some little pornographic films.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must conspire against one of his Teutonic rich heiresses.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/