Top Ten Favourite Silent Films

The silent era lasted from 1894 to 1929, until "talkies" became the more popular form of entertainment. Typically during silent films, a pianist, theatre organist, or in large cities, even a small orchestra would play music to accompany the films. A September 2013 report by the United States Library of Congress announced that a total of 70% of American silent feature films are believed to be completely lost. Reasons for this are mainly due to intentional destruction by the studio chiefs, extensive damage due to environmental degradation or fires within the studio. 

We are incredibly lucky to be able to see these films which are, at best, 85 years old. One film on my list celebrating its 101st anniversary! We are also lucky to live in an era where most surviving silent pictures are readily available for home video viewing. Here are my ten favorite silent films. Click on the individual titles for a link to the review.

1. Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

2. Greed (1924)

3. The Phantom Carriage (1921)

4. Metropolis (1927)

5. City Lights (1931)

6. Speedy (1928)

7. Les Vampires (1915)

8. Intolerance (1916)

9. Ben Hur (1925)

10. Pandora's Box (1929)