Alla Nazimova's version of "Camille" is a visually beautiful art nouveau stylization of the Dumas classic whose watchability owes more to the set and costume design (both by Natacha Rambova) than to the scenario (by June Mathis), direction or acting. The story is presented in the form of the cycle of a single year, from winter to winter. The décor – walls, rooms, windows, hangings, even furniture – makes use of a swirling, circular motif suggesting the camellia, or flower associated with the heroine: exquisitely beautiful but very fragile. The waif-thin Nazimova practically dances the role, so attuned is her entire body to every emotional nuance of her character; sometimes this physicality is exaggerated, but when she uses it to express deeply felt pain or melancholy she is most effective. Some have scoffed at her coiffe. But in the teens and very early twenties it was not uncommon for female stars to have big, bushy hair, often held in place gypsy-style by a scarf or bandana around the forehead (see Fannie Ward in "The Cheat"). But hair aside, Nazimova surely dominates the cast. Zeffie Tilbury, Rudolph Valentino and Consuelo Flowerton have their moments, but not many by comparison to the star.
