Douglas Fairbanks: The Great Swashbuckler (2005)

Douglas Fairbanks: The Great Swashbuckler Poster

Douglas Fairbanks, the screen's great swashbuckler, charmed millions with his energetic athleticism, his boyishly handsome good looks, and his sparkling charisma. Whether it was fighting off tyrannical land-owners in "The Mark of Zorro," slashing the king's guards in "The Three Musketeers," sliding down sails in "The Black Pirate," springing in leaps and bounds in "Robin Hood," or riding a winged horse across the night sky in "The Thief of Bagdad," Douglas Fairbanks was in his element as an action hero of grandiose costume dramas. But behind all of his achievements on the screen, there was another side to Douglas Fairbanks and this unique biography will reveal some of that man behind the mask. So swing into action and swashbuckle your way through this documentary. This is one adventure worth telling.

Introduction to The Documentary
"Douglas Fairbanks: The Great Swashbuckler" is a 2005 documentary directed by Mark Cousins. This deeply appealing movie checks out the life and career of Douglas Fairbanks Sr, one of the pioneers of the silver screen. A charming actor, writer, director, and manufacturer, Fairbanks was a key figure in the establishment of Hollywood's movie market.

Douglas Fairbanks: The Early Years
"Douglas Fairbanks: The Great Swashbuckler" supplies important insights into Fairbanks' early life and the experiences that shaped him into ending up being a movie industry stalwart. Born in 1883 in Colorado, Fairbanks started his career as a phase actor in New York City before making the transition to movies in 1915 throughout the quiet film era. His physical agility and good humor made his characters tempting and soon he ended up being Hollywood's most popular actor.

The Peak of His Career
This documentary underscores the peak of Fairbanks' career when he starred in impressive swashbuckler films such as "The Mark of Zorro", "The Three Musketeers", "Robin Hood", and "The Thief of Bagdad". Fairbanks' energetic and charismatic efficiencies defined these movies, imprinting his mark in the Hollywood film market. He was understood for performing his own stunts, screen of acrobatic feats and his interesting screen presence. These movies depicted him as a hero and sweetheart, making him an international star.

Contributions to the Film Industry
"Douglas Fairbanks: The Great Swashbuckler" stresses Fairbanks' contributions to the movie industry beyond his acting career. Apart from being an actor, he was also a co-founder of United Artists in 1919, formed in partnership with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and D.W Griffith. This studio was created as a platform for them to individually produce their own films without being managed by commercial studios. United Artists eventually ended up being an innovative force in Hollywood. Furthermore, he was likewise a founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is understood for its yearly Academy Awards discussions or "Oscars".

The Final Years and Legacy of Fairbanks
The film provides a touching insight into the last years of Douglas Fairbanks' life, reflecting on the declining phases of his career and his death in 1939. However, his tradition is very much alive and continues to resonate in Hollywood. Fairbanks was not simply a star, he was certainly the epitome of the American motion picture star. He laid the foundation for the Hollywood star system and characterized the genre of swashbuckler movies.

"Douglas Fairbanks: The Great Swashbuckler" is an essential story that celebrates one of Hollywood's greatest stars in the quiet movie period. This documentary discovers the amazing life and exceptional career of Douglas Fairbanks Sr. with archival footage, interviews, and narratives, encapsulating the magnitude of the motion picture star's contributions to the movie market. Through this documentary, the legend of Douglas Fairbanks continues to mesmerize the minds and hearts of movie enthusiasts.

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