One of the most popular and witty plays of the nineteenth century gets the silent treatment– and the stencil color treatment! This Italian-French co-production is possibly the most beautiful silent film ever made. Its costumes and sets are glorious but it also has a talented cast to give this beauty some brains.
I dare say that most of us know the tale of the large-nosed Cyrano, who pines for Roxane. No surprises here but a masterful bit of historical film-making. And the stencil color (which is exactly what it sounds like) is some of the finest ever applied to film.
How does it end? Hover or tap below for a spoiler.
Retains the ending of the play and Cyrano only reveals his love when he is near death.Read my full-length review here. I also cover Jose Ferrer’s Oscar-winning performance as Cyrano. (He also won a Tony and an Emmy for it.)
If it were a dessert it would be: An assortment of Macarons. Colorful, lovely and always in style.
Availability: Released on DVD by Flicker Alley, an identical release to the out-of-print Image disc.
Movies Silently 
I’m such a fan of all Cyranos, this one in particular. Thanks for the fun size review! Any here who haven’t read the full length, do. Jose Ferrer’s stage and screen work was simply stunning- have always loved it. Have tape I inherited of Ferrer on stage- magnificent.
Personally, I also partial to Steve Martin’s update Roxanne because, well, Steve Martin:
Oh yes, Ferrer is a treasure! Cannot get enough of his work.