Malombra presents one of the most praised works of the great silent era diva Lyda Borelli. Being one of the first horror-mystery films ever (5 years before Dracula), this feature is a must-see for anyone who wishes to explore rich history of film.
On one hand, the premise, plot and character foundation are comparable (if not completely equal) even to the modern horror movies. Extensive and efficient use of close-up enabled actors to achieve their full potential. That was especially true in case of the main actress, who can on multiple occasions be seen showing subtle shifts of emotions using only her facial expressions (yes, this phenomenon was still a rarity in this phase of film history).
However, what this film lacks is maybe the director's greater understanding of how the effects of camera movement and montage language actually work. For example, more than once so happened that a viewer is left unsure of which character says what line. Also, it is not always clear was a given sequence real or just a character's dream. Furthermore, some shots are presented in such an order that suggests they are the part of the same sequence (that is, happening at the same time), while the storyline clearly suggests otherwise. Compared to, say, works of D. W. Griffith, this film shows noticeable deficiency in storytelling skills.
All this being said, Malombra, with its somewhat complex plot, decent acting and creative montage attempts, still plays an important role as a stepping stone in the development of film as an art form.
