Moonrise (1948)

 

Danny is despised by his schoolmates because his father was accused of killing another man and sentenced to death. 

Superior Noir melodrama is beautifully made and photographed and takes its dark, seemingly hopeless tale to a tense finale.

Halliwell*: "Broody melodrama set against a remote village and swamp background; not a very interesting story, but memorable detail."

Maltin**1/2: "Uneven script...But it's beautifully directed; check out stunning opening shot, and opening sequence." 

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)

A Jewish prince seeks to find his family and revenge himself upon his childhood friend who had him wrongly imprisoned.

From memory: Arguably the best adaptation of the famous novel and one of the greatest epics of its time;  still quite awe-inspiring and exciting for a present-day audience.

Halliwell***: "The American silent screen's biggest epic; the sea battle and the chariot race are its most famous sequences."

Maltin***: "Biggest of all silent spectacles holds up quite well against talkie remake, particularly the exciting chariot race and sea batttle...; Novarro...and Bushman...give the performances of their careers."