Italy, aboard the SS Providence for what was to be three months of location shooting. Filming took place in studios in Rome and outdoor locations in Rome and Naples, with the desert scenes shot in Algeria. Gish involved herself in all aspects of the production. The Catholic Church provided guidance on religious matters. Gish stated it took 25 hours straight, with a -hour break, to film the marriage to the Church scene. The production lasted nearly twice as long as planned, due in part to inadequately equipped studio facilities. Distribution The film premiered in New York City on September 5, 1923, without a national distribution deal in place. After six months, Metro Pictures agreed to take on the task. Reception The anonymous New York Times reviewer wrote that "The film starts out as one of the strongest love stories that has ever been filmed. But the death of Giovanni and the latter part of the story weaken what might have been a perfect love story of Italy." The critic praised the cast as "excellent", singling out Colman and Kane's performances and observing that "Miss Gish's acting is always restrained. She obtains the full effect in every situation, being, as the Italians say, sympatico in all sequences. In his review of the 1933 version, New York Times critic Mordaunt Hall found it inferior by comparison, writing, "It is a beautiful production, but its scenes never seem as real as those of the old mute work." See also Lillian Gish filmography References External links Posters at silenthollywood.com 1923 films 1923 romantic drama films 1920s disaster films American disaster films American romantic drama films American silent feature films American black-and-white films Remakes of American films Films about volcanoes Films based on American novels Films based on works by Francis Marion Crawford Films directed by Henry King Films set in Italy Films shot in Algeria Films shot in Naples Films shot in Rome 1920s American films Silent romantic drama films Silent American drama films 1920s English-language films