Die Docks von New-York (1928)
36KDie Docks von New-York: Directed by Josef von Sternberg. With George Bancroft, Betty Compson, Olga Baclanova, Clyde Cook. A blue-collar worker on New York’s depressed waterfront finds his life changed after he saves a woman attempting suicide.
“There are quite a few strengths that make this silent melodrama work so well. It has a well-crafted story that moves at a good pace and efficiently uses each minute of screen time. It is very well-acted, especially by George Bancroft and Betty Compson. Compsonu0026#39;s performance, in particular, deserves much more praise and recognition than it has received, either at the time or now. Finally, the dockside atmosphere is interesting and convincing, besides being an integral part of the story.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBancroft has a role that is particularly well-suited to him, and he does a fine job in the part. Compson has a challenging role, since she must make her character attractive yet lonely and miserable, and somewhat disreputable yet completely sympathetic, for the story to work. She gives an excellent performance in every respect, and Bancroft plays off of her character quite well. There are some fine moments in which their charactersu0026#39; rough edges contend with their own gentler and nobler instincts. Thus the unlikely attachment between the two not only works well, but draws you in and makes you care about them quite a bit.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe supporting cast gives good performances as well, with Olga Baclanova especially good in a role that is essential to the story. Mitchell Lewis is suitably brutish as the heavy, and Clyde Cook is quite believable as Bancroftu0026#39;s nervous pal.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJosef von Sternberg also tied together all of these strengths in an efficient and effective package, making every scene count and making you feel as if you were there on the docks with the characters. Itu0026#39;s a fine melodrama by any standard, and is well worth seeing for anyone who enjoys silent movies.”
