The Cheat (1915) Reviews

Irresistible two faced cynicial morbo De Mille. Hayakawa is pure clisé of the eroticized stranger. Surprising narration for 1915 standards

One of the BFI's 360 Classics selection, regarded by many as De Mille's finest, and it's not hard to see why. By turns light and elegant, dark and suspenseful, then gripping and dynamic, it's a well made film, with inventive lighting. Just a pity the smooth dastardly villain trying to take advantage of a frivolously extravagant married woman has to be Japanese (converted to Burmese in intertitles a few years later)