The Sheik Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

The Sheik Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 16, 2017

It’s important to watch 1921’s “The Sheik” with awareness of its age. It’s the film that brought star Rudolph Valentino to stratospheric heights of fame, greatly complicating his burgeoning career with an iconic display of matinee idol charisma. It’s also a picture that carries an uneasy appreciation for Stockholm Syndrome-style romance, created during a time when such a union wasn’t open season for 1,000 think pieces on big screen sexism. “The Sheik” is period escapism, and it mostly comes together thanks to Valentino and co-star Agnes Ayres, who manage to make a credible connection in a story that needs something a bit more than soapy romanticism to penetrate the senses.

An adaptation of a novel by Edith Maude Hull, “The Sheik” is meant to showcase a war of wills in the Middle East, with the titular character (Valentino) trying to capture the heart of a woman (Ayres) who’s have trouble establishing her independence in a society that demands subservience. “The Sheik” doesn’t dig into the ways of domination, but character evolution generally takes a back seat to an arc of thawed feelings, preserving any and all swoon the feature can muster.

The Sheik Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Sheik" is expectedly rough around the edges, with the nearly 100-year-old movie making the leap to Blu-ray with visible wear and tear, including scuff marks, scratches, flicker, and spotty reel changes. However, clarity is generally appealing, helping to maintain concentration on filmmaking achievements, not on damage. Detail comes through just fine, supplying textures on close- ups and costuming, and the feature's epic intentions are also preserved with expansive scenes of conflict. Tinting needs are met, with dominant yellows and blues helping to identify time of day. Delineation is adequate, also fighting the age of the source.

The Sheik Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix features a music score composed and performed by Ben Model. Offering a peppy and clear organ sound, the track supports "The Sheik" satisfactorily, delivering appropriate moods and changes in action, carrying defined instrumentation and fullness.

The Sheik Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features author Gaylyn Studlar.

• "Valentino's Funeral Procession" (3:03, SD) observes the controlled chaos of the 1926 event, where 100,000 mourners arrived to pay their respects, with visitation lines stretching as far as the eye can see. A coffin transfer to the west coast via train and shots of noted attendees at a second funeral are also included.

• Trailer (2:02, SD) for 1922's "Blood and Sand" is offered.

• A Theatrical Trailer for "The Sheik" is not included.

The Sheik Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Sheik" is an entertaining feature, and while there's some iffy behavior swirling around the material (interestingly, a rape scene from the book wasn't carried over to the movie, but this type of mentality remains), it remains a fascinating time capsule of filmmaking interests, and a prime document of Valentino's ascension to mega-fame, guided by his good looks and suave screen manner.