MARE NOSTRUM
Starring Antonio Moreno and Alice Terry
PHOTOPLAY
April 1926
A most disappointing film from the man who directed "The Four Horsemen." Most of the New York critics dodged the issue because of its foreign atmosphere and the reputation of Rex Ingram. Doubtful of its entertainment value, they attributed to it artistic merit which it does not possess. A repulsive quality to it sent this writer to a soda fountain to get the bad taste out of his mouth.
MARE NOSTRUM
Starring Antonio Moreno and Alice Terry
MOTION PICTURE MAGAZINE
May 1926
Rex Ingram, Esq.
Nice, France
My Dear Mr. Ingram:
If you will, come home immediately, all will be forgiven. Of course,
it is lovely over there on the Riviera, but either you are making
pictures or you are not making pictures, and it is about time
you decided whether the movies are worthy of your best efforts
or whether picture-making is merely an evil necessity.
"Mare Nostrum," if you ask me, is a soggy show. This Ibañez war story is decidedly out of date with all its silly spy stuff and its undertone of hate. It isn't very good melodrama, either. The love story is unpleasant, there are too many tragedies, and there is a sinister quality about it that is almost decadent. Many of the backgrounds are undoubtedly beautiful, and some of your sea scenes are pictorially effective. But that's as much as I can say for the picture. Oh, yes, and Alice Terry does some effective work in the scene in which she is so dramatically shot as a spy. But Antonio Moreno gives a most listless performance in the hero's role.
So, Mr. Ingram, will you please come home and don't bring any Ibañez stories with you.
For more information, see "Mare Nostrum" as our "Feature of the Month"