The Sheik is a 1921 silent romantic drama film directed by George Melford, based on Edith Maude Hull’s bestselling novel. The story follows Lady Diana Mayo, a headstrong Englishwoman who ventures into the Algerian desert, where she is abducted by Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan. Initially resistant to his advances, Diana eventually falls in love with Ahmed, leading to a dramatic tale of passion, cultural clashes, and redemption. The film catapulted Rudolph Valentino to stardom, solidifying his status as a romantic icon and inspiring a wave of "sheik" fashion and cultural trends.
Credits: Director: George Melford Producer: Famous Players–Lasky Starring: Rudolph Valentino, Agnes Ayres, Adolphe Menjou Screenplay: Monte M. Katterjohn Cinematography: William Marshall
