this film be a good start for novice that have never watch a silent film and for those who believe that quality cinema start with their generation effort . they be do a disservice to themselves by not expand their horizon . the silent film be a art form of act in pantomime that be different from the sound film and the stage and it can stand on it own merit . the beloved rogue ( 1927 ) united artist be a fictionalized history of the relationship of french poet francois villon and king louis xi . through villon prod king louis will defeat his nemesis duke of burgandy minimize the feudal system and establish the king a head of the state and the beginning of modern france . the cast be exceptional and lead by john barrymore ( yes and draw grandfather ) . for those who only remember him for the decaying actor larry renault in dinner at eight ( 1933 ) or the ham in the invisable woman ( 1940 ) this will be a revelation . fit and trim with the great profile still in evidence he command the screen . co star in his first american film be conrad veidt with his cadaverous spider interpretation of louis xi . this be a duel of act titan and each not give the other a inch . on a trivia note be character actor and dwarf angelo rossitto in his first film and his last and mad max beyond thunderdome ( 1985 ) . there be other character actor who would continue in sound that be easily pick up on . united artist spar no expense in this handsome production supervise by william cameron menzies . costume and prop and set be well do and not exaggerate like in a douglas fairbanks production . there be a touch of reality here . the copy on dvd that we watch from delta entertainment come from a good master . though not restore it musical soundtrack be clear and the print only suffer from nuisance black spot ( dirt ) and drop out . the only major damage at the end of the last reel from water . kino also have a edition which may be of a good quality since they do major restoration on their print . best check with them . in our opinion this be a amust have particularly if you have no ilents in your collection . this be a good place to start .