This silent version of "Beau Brummel" (there was one in 1913) stars the great John Barrymore in the title role, and he manages without speaking to give us a clear, layered view of this vain social climber. Also starring are Mary Astor, Carmel Myers, and Irene Rich as three of the women in his life. Mary Astor was nearly unrecognizable - low, long eyebrows (they all seemed to have them) and different teeth, and 18 years old! Though in black and white, the sumptuousness of the costumes and the beauty of the sets, as well as the prevailing atmosphere, are all evident. Brummel resigns his commission so that he can literally hang out with the Prince of Wales, who becomes George IV. When he falls out of favor, he also falls on hard times. The woman he loses to her marriage into a wealthy family, Lady Alvanley, remains a loyal friend as does his butler Mortimer.Barrymore's acting, particularly in his last scenes, is brilliant. Thankfully he went into talkies so we would have a chance to hear his beautiful speaking voice.Superior to the MGM color version starring Stewart Granger.

This film is a great showcase for John Barrymore's talents. He gets to play the spurned romantic, the comic rogue who is always laughing at everyone else, the beaten man in decline still hanging on to his dignity, and finally an insane aged man completely unaware of reality.Brummel starts out as a young man in love with Lady Margery (Mary Astor). The feeling is mutual, but Margery's mother is ambitious and insists that Margery marry the wealthy Lord Alvanley. She considers Brummel not good enough for her daughter. To soothe his grief, Brummel plunges down the path of a self-destructive and hedonistic lifestyle, indulging in the finest food, drink, clothing, and women, but nothing can kill the sting of his losing Lady Margery. Alec B. Francis, as Brummel's gentleman's gentleman Mortimer, actually has a role equal in importance to Mary Astor's role, and he shines in it. Early in the film Mortimer corrects a visitor when he refers to Brummel as his master. Instead, Brummel is his life. He stays with Brummel when he can no longer pay him, and even after he is wrongfully discharged and he returns to England, he continues to send money for Brummel's upkeep. This is a long film for a silent at over two hours in length, but it doesn't drag at all.Let me just say whether or not you enjoy this film may depend on what version you watch. There are a lot of low-priced public domain knock-offs of this film that are in really bad shape. The Warner Archive version has the score written by one of the winner's of Turner Classic Movies' Young Composer contests and, although not restored, is in pretty good shape. That is the version I would recommend.

For 1924, this is a truly exquisite looking film. You can tell that the fledgling studio, Warner, really pulled out all the stops to make this film a success--great sets, camera-work and even recruiting John Barrymore back from the stage to star in this film. However, despite all these positives, the overall effect isn't all that engaging--thanks to a very weak story that practically put me to sleep.The problem with the story is that Beau Brummel is a very, very flawed man. At first, you see him as flawed but decent. Later in the film, he just seems like a jerk--allowing his way overblown ego to ultimately destroy him. In fact, this made the second half of the film much tougher going because it was hard to care about a man who simply didn't deserve it. Plus, so much of the film consisted of rather syrupy love scenes and Barrymore's acting was really over the top. While I love many of Barrymore's films, in this one he seemed a bit "hammy"--nothing like his later film roles.Without a serious re-working of the film, this one turned out to be very pretty but ultimately as dull as the later Stewart Granger re-make. Pretty to look at but not very satisfying--it's like eating a meal entirely of unflavored rice cakes.

Have always enjoyed John Barrymore's films and also his brother and sister Lionel and Ethel Barrymore. TCM introduced this film for the first time and it was a great joy to view a great masterpiece which was finally produced with a music score and this effect made this film greater to view and enjoy. John Barrymore plays the role as Beau Brummel who falls madly in love with Lady Margery Alvanley, (Mary Astor) and she is spoken for by another military man. This event destroys Beau Brummel's heart and soul and he decides as a soldier to resign and leave the military service. Beau becomes a Regency Social Climber in London Society and meets up with the Prince of Wales, (Willard Louis) and gains his friendship and begins to start his revenge on the British Society. Beau loves women and uses them to his own purpose and arranges for some romantic escapades for the Prince of Wales and in turn gains all kinds of favors. In other words, Beau is a silver fox who manages to out smart everyone and reaches his goal, but is he happy and what happens to him? Was surprised to learn that John Barrymore was 42 years of age when he appeared in this film and Mary Astor was only 18 years of age. Fantastic film, don't miss this one, you will enjoy it if you know who John Barrymore was and his famous film career and a life of drinking and more drinking.