Rex the Devil Horse

Plot

A young boy's family is brutally killed during an Indian massacre of a wagon train, leaving him orphaned and captured by the attacking tribe. During his captivity, he forms a special bond with a wild colt, nursing it and establishing a deep friendship that sustains him through his ordeal. Years later, after managing to escape his captors, the boy, now grown into a young man, is recaptured by the same tribe who force him into a deadly confrontation with their feared 'devil horse' - a vicious stallion that has never been defeated in combat. As the young man faces the terrifying horse in the arena, he gradually recognizes that this seemingly untamable beast is actually his childhood companion, now grown into a powerful but still loyal friend. The revelation of their shared past allows him to survive the deadly contest and ultimately escape his captors, reunited with the horse that has been his constant companion through years of hardship.

Historical Background

The year 1926 marked the height of the silent film era in Hollywood, with Westerns representing one of the most popular and prolific genres. This period saw the maturation of Western storytelling, moving beyond simple good-versus-evil narratives to explore more complex themes of survival, friendship, and the relationship between humans and nature. The film was released just before the transition to sound would dramatically change filmmaking practices, making it part of the final wave of pure silent Westerns. The 1920s also saw increased sophistication in stunt work and action choreography, with performers like Yakima Canutt elevating the physical aspects of filmmaking to an art form. The portrayal of Native Americans in films of this era reflected the period's limited understanding and often stereotypical approach, though some productions were beginning to show more nuance. The film's focus on the bond between a human and animal also reflected contemporary interest in the natural world and wilderness themes, which would become even more prominent in American culture during the subsequent decade.

Making Of

The production of 'Rex the Devil Horse' was typical of Universal's efficient approach to B-western filmmaking during the silent era. Yakima Canutt, already renowned for his stunt work, brought considerable authenticity to the action sequences, often performing dangerous horse stunts himself. The training of the horses used in the film was extensive, with trainers spending months preparing the animals for the specific behaviors required by the script. Director Fred Jackman, with his background in cinematography, paid particular attention to the visual composition of the action sequences, using the expansive California landscape to create a sense of scale and authenticity. The film was shot in approximately two weeks, a standard schedule for Universal's genre productions of the period. The Indian village set was a permanent fixture on Universal's backlot, reused in numerous Western productions. The climactic fight scene between the protagonist and the devil horse required careful choreography to ensure the safety of both the human and animal performers, with Canutt's expertise in stunt coordination proving invaluable to the sequence's success.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'Rex the Devil Horse' reflects the practical approach typical of Universal's B-western productions of the era. The visual style emphasized clarity and functionality, with compositions designed to showcase the action sequences effectively. The film made good use of natural lighting for the exterior scenes, particularly in the location shots that provided the expansive Western landscapes audiences expected from the genre. The camera work during the horse stunts and action sequences was notably dynamic for the period, using movement and framing to enhance the excitement and danger of these moments. The wagon train massacre sequence employed effective use of depth and composition to create a sense of chaos and scale within the limitations of the production resources. The cinematography also paid attention to the visual storytelling required in silent films, ensuring that the emotional states of characters and the relationship between the protagonist and the horse were clearly conveyed through visual means rather than relying on intertitles.

Innovations

The primary technical achievements of 'Rex the Devil Horse' lie in its sophisticated horse stunts and action choreography, which pushed the boundaries of what was possible in silent-era Western filmmaking. Yakima Canutt's expertise in stunt work allowed for sequences that were both thrilling and relatively safe for the performers, representing an important step forward in the professionalization of film stunts. The film also demonstrated effective techniques for filming action involving animals, using careful camera placement and editing to create the illusion of more dangerous situations than actually occurred. The wagon train massacre sequence utilized practical effects and crowd management techniques that were advanced for a B-western production. The film's editing, particularly in the action sequences, showed a growing understanding of rhythm and pacing in visual storytelling, using cuts and camera movement to enhance the excitement of the horse stunts. These technical elements, while not revolutionary in themselves, contributed to the overall effectiveness of the film and represented the cumulative refinement of filmmaking techniques during the mature silent period.

Music

As a silent film, 'Rex the Devil Horse' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The typical presentation would have featured either a theater organist or a small ensemble providing musical accompaniment synchronized with the on-screen action. The score would have followed the conventions of silent film music, with different themes and motifs for the main characters, dramatic music for the action sequences, and sentimental themes for the emotional moments involving the relationship between the protagonist and the horse. The music would have been particularly important during the climactic fight scene between the hero and the devil horse, helping to build tension and highlight the emotional significance of the reunion. While no specific composer is credited for the film's original musical accompaniment, theaters would have used standard repertoire pieces and themes commonly associated with Western films of the period, possibly including adaptations of popular songs or classical pieces appropriate to the mood of various scenes.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening wagon train massacre sequence that establishes the protagonist's tragic backstory
• The young boy's first encounter with the wild colt and the beginning of their friendship
• The escape sequence where the grown protagonist flees his captors
• The climactic arena fight between the hero and the devil horse
• The emotional reunion scene where the protagonist recognizes his childhood companion
• The final escape sequence where hero and horse ride to freedom together

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception for 'Rex the Devil Horse' was modest but positive, with reviewers generally praising the action sequences and Yakima Canutt's performance. The Film Daily noted the film's 'thrilling horse stunts and authentic Western atmosphere,' while Variety acknowledged Canutt's 'physical prowess and convincing portrayal of the frontier hero.' Critics of the period often evaluated such films primarily on their entertainment value and technical execution rather than artistic merit, and by these standards, the film was considered successful. Modern retrospective assessment recognizes the film as a competent example of its genre, with particular appreciation for Canutt's stunt work and the film's efficient storytelling within the constraints of the B-western format. Some contemporary film historians have noted the film's effective use of the animal companion trope and its contribution to the development of action sequences in silent cinema.

What Audiences Thought

Contemporary audience reception for 'Rex the Devil Horse' appears to have been generally favorable, particularly among fans of the Western genre. The film's combination of action, adventure, and the emotional appeal of the human-animal bond resonated with 1920s moviegoers who had come to expect certain elements from their Western entertainment. The horse stunts and action sequences were particularly popular with audiences, who appreciated the authentic thrills provided by Canutt's performance. As part of Universal's program of Westerns, the film likely performed well in smaller markets and rural areas where Westerns were especially popular. The emotional core of the story - the reunion between the protagonist and his childhood horse companion - would have provided the sentimental element that audiences of the era often sought in their entertainment. While the film did not achieve the level of success of major A-list productions, it satisfied its target audience and contributed to Universal's reputation for delivering reliable genre entertainment.

You Might Also Like