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Agnes Ayres, Rudolph Valentino, Adolphe Menjou, Walter Long, Lucien Littlefield ... see more see more... , George Waggner , F.R. Butler , Patsy Ruth Miller , Loretta Young , Rodolfo Valentino , Frank Butler

This romantic costumed adventure is the film that cemented Rudolph Valentino's reputation as a legendary screen lover. Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan (Valentino) takes Lady Diana Mayo (Agnes Ayers) to his cam... read more read more...p when he finds the beauty in the desert. Although drawn to the Sheik, Lady Diana is able to resist his amorous advances. When his former French school chum Raoul de Saint Herbert (Adolphe Menjou) convinces him to let Diana go free, she is kidnapped by the villainous Omair (Walter Long), who promises her a fate worse than death. The heroic Sheik and his army save Diana from suicide, but he is severely wounded in the melee. Diana helps the Sheik regain his strength after he saves her and she vows her everlasting love to her British-educated hero. Reviewers at the time of the film's release were very critical of the film and the performance of Valentino, suggesting the public should ask the film to be censored as it was morally objectionable. Paramount Pictures thought the film would go nowhere fast, but millions of women made Valentino an international heartthrob. Many fainted at the initial showing of the film, and Rudolph Valentino eclipsed Wallace Reid in popularity. Over 70 years after his death, Rudolph Valentino is still remembered as the first male superstar to have a direct and lasting impact on female viewers, and the word "sheik" became as synonymous with Valentino as the word "vamp" was associated with the exotic Theda Bara. Watch for seven-year-old Loretta Young in a bit part. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

877 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.

Directed by: George Melford

Release Date: January 1, 1921

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DVD Release Date: May 28, 1992

Stats: 80 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (80)

  • ajv2688
    January 3, 2011
    ajv2688
    A predictable romance drama, with some adventure. It's pretty good, but the ending was bad if you ask me, I didn't care for it, it was silly.
  • merlynsprankling
    September 2, 2009
    merlynsprankling
    Rudolf Valentino died at the age of 31, he became a greater star than ever--or rather, something greater still than a star, a cult. There's no one quite like him for whispering sweet, silent nothings into his heroine's ears, or blowing smoke rings...

    As for the film The Sheik ... read more(directed, for the record, by George Melford), it proved nearly as much of a sensation as its star's subsequent funeral. Droves of women spectators swooned in the aisles and Arab motifs became a filmic fad for several years to come. So very successful was it, in fact, it spawned a sequel, Valentino's last film, The Son of the Sheik.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    February 6, 2009
    Doctor0Quinzel
    Overall I liked it, I thought that some of the scene ran long. I was like a 'Beauty and The Beast" story. I could see why women loved Valentino, he's pretty hot in this film.
  • benjaminguilbert2
    February 2, 2009
    benjaminguilbert2
    Why was Hollywood so fascinated by the French colonies in North Africa in the 20s and 30s?
    Anyway one more great film. Miles away from any attempt of being realistic it is just a great actor in a great adventure flick with some great romantic moments... great!
  • habs123
    July 25, 2008
    habs123
    The sheik is the first movie to create a "movie star", Rudolf Valentino. The cultural impact of this film was more than HUGE, as the men would try to look like Valentino (they would style their hair and dress the same way). Of course, the action style seems exaggerated and the fe... read moreelings expressed seem extreme, but hey, we're talking here about a silent movie that was made 87 years ago...
  • nkkigrrl28
    January 17, 2008
    nkkigrrl28
    Rudolph Valentino! What more can I say? This movie has a lot of archaic ideas, and feels very goofy. But fun and escapist anyway. The lustful looks he gave that made so many women swoon in the 1920s come off a little maniacal and funny now, but he is irresistable nonetheless.
  • SDphotoggirl
    December 1, 2006
    SDphotoggirl
    One of the best Valentino films. It is the movie that thrust him into super stardom in the 1920's and made women everywhere wet their panties and faint.
  • barelygotout
    June 18, 2006
    barelygotout
    The silent film to get you addicted to the god of the 1920's. Rudolph Valentino is absolutely the hottest guy to grace the screen!

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Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke
September 4, 2004
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Landmark film that was never all that hot with a solution so jaw-droppingly racist that it's hard to believe.

Dennis Schwartz
April 14, 2004
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It's one of those films that should be seen by film buffs and those interested in films as history. Full Review

March 25, 2006
New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Mick LaSalle
August 20, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

John A. Nesbit
February 26, 2008
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 6, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Christopher Null
January 27, 2004
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

Linda Cook
February 9, 2003
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

No review available.

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Sheik Trivia

  • True or False in the film Hidalgo Sheik Riyadh said the quote Mister... you can say anything you want about me. I'm gonna have to ask you not to talk about my horse that way.   Answer »
  • In the film Hidalgo Sheik Riyadh said the quote What about your ability to tell the future?   Answer »
  • In Hidalgo Sheik Riyadh said the quote C'mon little brother. Checkout time. Yeah.   Answer »
  • Where was Sheik Haikal character poster to after BMT in the movie Army Daze?  Answer »
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