Blu ray review: Annie Laurie (1927)

Kino Lorber has released the Library of Congress restoration of Annie Laurie, with a musical score by Robert Israel.  It is an MGM feature starring Lillian Gish.

This drama about conflicts in 17th century Scotland was not a box office hit in its time. It was Lillian Gish’s third film under her MGM contract, after she left DW Griffith in 1925. Her career would rebound with The Wind (1928). 

Screening this film in the 21st century, it emerges as a visually brilliant, consistently compelling drama with everything from light humor to violent action.  While Gish later recalled that her mother died during production, hampering what she offered as an actress, her performance comes off as remarkably good, responding well to the narrative and director John S. Robertson’s vision. Norman Kerry stars opposite Gish, and is also great, as are supporting players Patricia Avery and Creighton Hale. John Wayne appears as an extra.

Because it is an MGM picture, Annie Laurie is very handsomely mounted, with impressive sets that Robertson reveals in some vast medium shots, and establishing long shots.  His use of closeups help to present nuance in the performers, who eschew the stereotypical broad sweeping gestures often associated with silent movies.  The outdoor scenes in the snow are especially striking.

Annie Laurie was released in the Spring of 1927, during a period of the silent era where motion pictures were thriving, many rising to the level of art.  And there are a lot of artistic choices in Annie Laurie that exhibit an especially impressive example of silent cinema from its strongest era.

Finally, and notably, the film ends with a beautiful Technicolor sequence that is nicely preserved.

Kino’s blu ray is from a 4K restoration by the Library of Congress and the great orchestral score by Robert Israel is in 5.1 Stereo Surround.  There is a commentary track by noted and well-respected film historian Anthony Slide. 

The blu ray  is available at this link:  ANNIE LAURIE