A SCREEN TRIUMPH.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 193, 15 August 1931, Page 12

A SCREEN TRIUMPH.

A surging drama of human souls lost in passion and redeemed in lqve—that is “ Resurrection,” the film which.- commenced to-day at the Crystal Palace. “ Resurrection ’’ is a triumph in screen technique. Its dialogue and musical effects are vibrant with dramatic tensity; its photography is glamorous, pictorial; the adaptation is scintillant with romantic charm and poignant tragedy. Edwin Carewe, the noted director, has caught the psychology and philosophy of Tolstoy, and has faithfully brought to life on the screen the virile, fascinating characters of the book. John Boles plays Prince Dmitri with romantic realism. His portrayal of this difficult role is a commendable expression of histrionic art; his characterisation is human and sympathetic; his speaking voice rings with sincerity, and his singing is captivating. He is dashing as a lover; sinister as a soldier; eloquent in his final resurrection. As Katusha Maslova, the peasant girl in love with Prince Dmitri, Dupe Velez invests her role with deep understanding, poignant emotion and artistic conception. Indeed, this brilliant young artiste lends lustre to the finest traditions of the screen. Her gift of character delineation, stirring in its emotional appeal, finds full expression in the romantic scenes, and in the deep nuances of pathos and tragedy. The loves scenes of Prince Dmitri and the pretty little peasant Katusha—the farewell of the lovers when Dmitri leaves the country to enter the Imperial Guards—the dissipation and amours of the young prince in the military life nt St. Petersburg—the singing of the troops on the march to Turkey—the prince’s betrayal and desertion of Katusha—Katusha's despair when she learns of Dmitri's perfidy at the railroad station in a blinding storm—the trial and conviction of Katusha for murder—the plea of Dmitri, one of the jurors, for her acquittal—the meeting of the lovers in the grim old prison— Katusha’s bitter, cynical refusal of Dmitri’s aid and plea for forgiveness—the long march of prisoners through snow and ice. Box plans for “ Resurrection ” are at The Bristol.