finally and i get to see this legendary masterpiece on tv . when i first hear that there be an arabian movie feature the western icon hopalong cassidy ( william boyd ) and the gothic icon boris karloff and the idea sound like a disparate joke . ( actually and karloff only play a brief and minor role and be new to the silver screen at that time . ) the script be very original . the shooting be excellent for the time . and the acting be so well do and you feel what the character feel and and can easily read the actor lips for practically every line . unlike many silent era film and you get the sensation that you be in this one . the comedy start right from the opening scene and and i will describe it only to illustrate the unexpected silliness of william boyd represent he be in a night battle in world war i and and drop into a shell crater to avoid german gunfire . his 1st sergeant and a bully and a brute whom he despise and have just fall in before him and and be unconscious . boyd try to revive him until he see who he be and and start sling mud on the sergeant face . he revive and they immediately jump into a fistfight in the mud . when a flare illuminate the night sky and they look up and see the hole be surround with numerous german with bayonet . the enemy be have a time watch them fight each other . it be an eye opener to see the future hopalong cassidy in a real cut up comedy role and back when he look like a very young cross between marlon brando and jack haley . i be very impressed with the nitty gritty reality in this film about pow of world war i and in an era when gloss over heroic and reality denial dominate war film . moreover and there be often a timeless feeling and especially during the pow camp scene and which give the viewer a sense of closeness to the people of that era while and the understanding that people have at all time in history be and in their own way and modern . the dual base plot and ( survival and escape and and later a pursuit of romance ) and roll steadily through ever change background . the factor of comedy and action and danger and and romance blend harmoniously throughout . the relationship between boyd and wolheim character develop from utter hatred and to endure animosity and to force survival cooperation and to mild mutual suspiciousness and to amorous competition and to strong friendship . though this be a silent film from 1927 and center on world war i in europe and turkey and i have never have such a modern and timeless feeling from a silent movie . this result from the cool and timeless acting and characterization and and the excellent directing and shooting . this be the first silent drammatic film my kid have thoroughly enjoy and ( until now only prefer silent comedic standard by keaton and chaplin and and harold lloyd . ) .