The Road to Yesterday

Plot

Kenneth and Malena are a married couple experiencing severe relationship problems, with Malena appearing cold and frigid toward her husband. Their troubles stem from a past life connection that neither initially understands. When their train crashes on the American plains, their unconscious minds are transported back to Elizabethan England, where Kenneth was a knight and Malena was a gypsy woman facing execution by burning at the stake. This past life injustice becomes the key to understanding their present difficulties. The film explores themes of reincarnation, karma, and whether love can transcend the barriers of time and past traumas to heal their fractured relationship.

Historical Background

The mid-1920s was a period of great experimentation in Hollywood, as filmmakers pushed the boundaries of what cinema could achieve. This was the golden age of silent films, just before the transition to sound would revolutionize the industry. The 1920s also saw growing interest in spiritualism, mysticism, and alternative philosophies in American society, influenced by post-World War I disillusionment and the publication of influential books on Eastern religions and reincarnation theories. DeMille's exploration of reincarnation in this film reflected this cultural moment, even as the film industry was becoming increasingly standardized and commercialized.

Making Of

Cecil B. DeMille was known for his meticulous attention to detail and hands-on approach to filmmaking. For 'The Road to Yesterday,' he worked closely with cinematographer Bert Glennon to create distinct visual styles for the modern and Elizabethan sequences. The reincarnation concept was considered risky for mainstream audiences, but DeMille was fascinated by spiritual and metaphysical themes. The production faced challenges in creating convincing transitions between time periods without the benefit of modern special effects. The train wreck sequence required weeks of preparation and was filmed using a combination of full-scale sets and carefully crafted miniatures. DeMille insisted on authentic period details for the Elizabethan scenes, consulting historical experts to ensure accuracy in costumes and settings.

Visual Style

Bert Glennon's cinematography created distinct visual worlds for the film's different time periods. The modern sequences were shot with relatively straightforward techniques, while the Elizabethan scenes featured more dramatic lighting and elaborate compositions. The train wreck sequence was particularly notable for its dynamic camera work and use of multiple angles to create tension. Glennon employed soft focus techniques for the dreamlike transitions between time periods, helping to signal the supernatural elements of the story. The film's visual style was characteristic of DeMille's productions - lavish, detailed, and carefully composed.

Innovations

The film's most notable technical achievement was its handling of the time transition sequences. Without modern special effects, the filmmakers relied on creative editing, superimposition, and lighting changes to suggest the movement between past and present. The train wreck sequence was also technically ambitious for its time, requiring careful coordination of multiple camera setups and effects. The production design for the Elizabethan scenes demonstrated the high level of craftsmanship that characterized DeMille's productions, with detailed sets and costumes that helped create convincing historical atmosphere.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Road to Yesterday' would have been accompanied by live musical performances during its original theatrical run. Theaters typically used compiled scores featuring popular classical pieces or specially composed cue sheets. The film's dramatic and romantic elements would have required music that could convey both the emotional intensity of the couple's relationship and the supernatural quality of the reincarnation sequences. No original composed score for the film survives, though modern screenings have used contemporary silent film accompaniment or newly composed scores.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic train wreck sequence that triggers the time transition
• The revelation of the past life connection in Elizabethan England
• The emotional confrontation between the knight and the gypsy woman
• The final reconciliation scene bringing together past and present

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics were divided on the film. Some praised DeMille's ambition in tackling such an unusual theme, while others found the reincarnation premise confusing or melodramatic. The performances of Joseph Schildkraut and Jetta Goudal received generally positive reviews, with critics noting their ability to convey emotion through the limited means available to silent actors. Modern film historians have shown renewed interest in the film as an example of how spiritual themes were incorporated into mainstream cinema of the 1920s, though it remains one of DeMille's lesser-studied works.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1925 were generally receptive to the film, though it didn't achieve the blockbuster status of some of DeMille's other productions. The unusual theme of reincarnation may have been challenging for some viewers, but the romantic elements and dramatic visuals helped make it accessible. The film performed adequately at the box office, particularly in urban areas where audiences were more open to experimental narratives. Modern audiences who have seen the film through revival screenings or archives often comment on its surprisingly sophisticated treatment of metaphysical themes.

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