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The Dragon Painter

Play trailer Poster for The Dragon Painter 1919 53m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Tatsu is a reclusive, tortured artist who continually paints brilliant pictures of a dragon that has the soul of a princess. When Tatsu meets the beautiful Ume Ko, he thinks that she is the living embodiment of the princess he has spent years imagining. He immediately falls for Ume Ko; initially overjoyed, Tatsu soon becomes despondent when he realizes he has lost his inspiration to paint. He must now somehow learn to balance love with artistic fervor.
The Dragon Painter

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Beautifully filmed and powerfully acted, The Dragon Painter tells a timeless tale of romantic love and creative passion.

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Critics Reviews

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Grace Kingsley Los Angeles Times May 18, 2021
[Hayakawa] has the power, above anyone I know, to project those stories upon the screen amid the most ideally suitable and beautiful settings... he does this by some magic means which enhances the spectator's feeling for the drama. Go to Full Review Fred Schader Variety May 18, 2021
It is a screen telling of a tale that is full of heart interest and pathos, with a twist at the end that relives the heavy tragedy that has hung over the story for about two reels. Go to Full Review Wapo Staff Washington Post May 18, 2021
A simple story of great beauty and appeal, The Dragon Painter is distinguished by... striking photographic studies and gorgeous settings. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl Sep 24, 2024
7/10
The Dragon Painter (1919) ... gets several big things right even if it’s also very much a product of its time. Go to Full Review Marion Russell Billboard Mar 16, 2023
Sessue Hayakawa and [Tsuru] Aoki are a talented couple and have screen technique at their finger tips. A lively intelligence is evident in all their work. Go to Full Review Mercury Staff The Mercury (Australia) May 18, 2021
The role of Tatsu, the mad artist, affords [Hayakawa] a totally different type of character to portray than any he has attempted. His conception of the part is inherently artistic. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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David K @RT61474040 May 19, 2024 Beautifully shot romance fantasy starring the great Sessue Hayakawa. See more s r @ScottR Sep 15, 2020 A short film about a genius artist and his love that has passed on. It has Hayasawa from Swiss Family Robinson that I just love. It is beautiful. Saw it on TCM. See more Jan 26, 2013 Beautifully filmed and a rare chance to see Hayakawa in his glory days. See more Jan 6, 2013 Even the greatest of silent film enthusiasts will be hard pressed to recommend it... See more Jan 24, 2011 Sessue Hayakawa did not want to make stereotypical Asian character-looking movies turned out by Hollywood in the silent era. He decided to make his own company, shoot authentically looking Japanese settings and customs without stereotypes, and "The Dragon Painter" is one of those films that plays as a love story, accessible to an American audience, but then again, not quite Japanese. It is definitely worth seeing for its historical value of real Japanese-American cinema, something that is still very rare to these days. See more Nov 14, 2009 This is truly a great silent film hayakawa is extraordinary the cinematography and art direction is sensational in this film....itz amazing they shot film in yosemite valley california and pulled it off like it was fuedal japan.....such a beautiful film 2 watch!! See more Read all reviews
The Dragon Painter

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Cast & Crew

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William Worthington

Director

Sessue Hayakawa

Tatsu, the Dragon Painter

Toyo Fujita

Actor

Tsuru Aoki

Actor

Richard Schayer

Writer

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The Dragon Painter

The Dragon Painter (1919) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Tatsu is a reclusive, tortured artist who continually paints brilliant pictures of a dragon that has the soul of a princess. When Tatsu meets the beautiful Ume Ko, he thinks that she is the living embodiment of the princess he has spent years imagining. He immediately falls for Ume Ko; initially overjoyed, Tatsu soon becomes despondent when he realizes he has lost his inspiration to paint. He must now somehow learn to balance love with artistic fervor.
Director
William Worthington
Screenwriter
Richard Schayer
Genre
Drama
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 4, 1919, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Sep 15, 2009
Runtime
53m
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