Silent Film Sources

Upcoming and Recent Releases on DVD, Laserdisc and VHS

This site lists silent films available in the United States for purchase on home video and laserdisc and for rental or sale in 16mm and 35mm. A News section gives information on new silent film releases on video and laserdisc, and links to other web sites related to silent film. Our sister site, The Silent Film Bookshelf, reprints original documents from the silent era. Both sites are updated with new information on the first of each month.

Silent films entertained the world until the coming of sound films in the late 1920s. They are still a wonderful source of entertainment. Many potential viewers dismiss silent features because they require more concentration than sound films. Silent films are a distinct art form, and when properly presented, they have their own qualities. When poor quality copies are presented with inappropriate music at the wrong speed, the results do not represent the original theatrical presentation. If you only knew silent films from excerpts in television commercials or documentaries, you might think that all silent films had jerky, contrasty images that stammer across the screen.

Silent films are in distribution on video in editions of varying quality. Many seemingly adequate copies misrepresent the original film. Some of the music scores accompanying silent films greatly enhance the films, while others are detrimental. Even running times are significant, since the version with the longest running time is not necessarily the best choice; often it is the worst.

While many great films are not available, fortunately, several dozen of the finest silent features can be purchased on video in top quality copies that accurately represent the original films. Since films are best enjoyed projected on a screen before an audience, the listings include those films available in 16mm and 35mm.

This site represents my own, admittedly prejudiced, look at the films that are currently available, with an emphasis on the best films and the best quality editions.

This site identifies which silent films are available. Future additions will highlight those films that are most worthwhile, and, when possible, identify the finest copies. The emphasis is on the better films because they represent the potential of the art and storytelling of silent film.

You are visitor number: since August 1, 1997

Send suggestions to David Pierce, sunrise@dc.infi.net