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Customer Reviews of The Bells

Think "Tell-Tale Heart" meets "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"
"The Bells" is an interesting 1926 silent horror film that strikes me as a cross between Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" and the German expressionist film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari." See if you can tell why from this description of the plot. Once upon a time Mathias (Lionel Barrymore), an innkeeper, murders a rich Polish traveler staying at his inn. However, his conscience keeps bothering Mathias who is haunted by the murdered man's ghost. The victim's brother has his own suspicions and brings a sideshow mesmerist (Boris Karloff), who can supposedly read minds. During the inquest the mesmerist stares at Mathias, who can not escape his own guilt. This 1926 film was one of the last directed by James Young, who became making silent adaptations of Shakespeare plays. "The Bells" is simple, but effective, and a climax that offers Boris Karloff staring accusingly at Mr. Potter from "It's a Wonderful Life" does have its moments. Certainly worth a look on the score alone. Despite the affinity with Poe's classic short story, "The Bells" was a fairly well-known 19th-century melodrama derived from a play "Le Juif Polonais" by Alexandre Chatrian and Emile Erckmann. It was first staged in 1871 and was made into a number of silent films and at least three early sound versions of which this is the only film to remain (most were melted down for the silver nitrate during the Second World War).

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In style with the tell tale heart!
The Bells DVD~ Lionel Barrymore is a haunting tale about a man whom has run into money trouble; and one night he decides to murder a wealthy patron in a desperate attempt to save his business and to make sure to take care of his family. There are several scenes in this movie, i.e., The Bells DVD~ Lionel Barrymore that are quite memorable, e.g., the blood imagery when he touches the coins of his victim. Boris Karloff is awesome in his limited role as the "mind reader" and he shows that even though he is given a minor role; he is able to have a screen presence that is hard to forget. I would definitely recommend this movie and I consider it to be one of the better silent movies of this time period.

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Bells of conscience ring
The Bells, a 1926 release starring Lionel Barrymore as Mathias, an overly-generous tavern owner giving away more than he possesses, owes a great deal to Poe's 'Tell-Tale Heart'. Generosity leads Mathias into considerable debt, in which no resolve seems evident. Along comes Baruch, a wealthy traveler, seeking refuge from a fierce storm. After drinks, he foolishly reveals to Mathias a money-belt containing a great quantity of gold. Seeing no other recourse, Mathias seizes the opportunity to redeem himself as well as pay off his debts via murdering the unsuspecting traveler and taking his gold. Amidst a brutal snowstorm, Mathias kills Baruch, the sound of the sleigh bells reverberating throughout the scene. Once it's over, Mathias returns to his tavern with his ill-gotten fortune. Paying off his debts and marrying his daughter to the chief investigater, Mathias seems to be in the clear. However, in true 'Tell-Tale Heart' fashion, his conscience is tormented by the unrelenting 'bells', seen numerous times in a super-imposed manner. A trial commences and as luck would have it, Mathias oversees the preceding. Earlier in the film, Karoff, appears as a mesmerist, capable of casting a spell that will force the murderer to reveal himself. His role is minor but the possibilities prove endless in regards to the trial. In true Dr Caligari fashion, Karloff delights. His presence is enough to spook Mathias and the trial rapidly ascends into chaos. The print of the film is marvelous. For it's vintage, the picture quality is crisp and for the most part clear of any flaws. A few instances of jitter and film deterioration exist. The musical score provided byEric Beheim is adequate and proves to enhance the film's mood changes. If you're at all fascinated by Gothic horror, Poe, and/or Barrymore or Karloff, this DVD is well worth it. Regardless of whether or not you purchase this disc, a viewing is a must.