Silent film actors used exaggerated movements because early cameras recorded too few frames per second to capture subtle expressions and gestures clearly.

From the 1890s through the late 1920s, silent film cameras were typically hand-cranked by operators, resulting in variable and inconsistent frame rates that averaged around 16 frames per second. Because the human eye needs a higher frequency of images to perceive smooth, natural motion, these low rates produced a flickering effect and made fine details nearly invisible.Without synchronized sound, visual storytelling had to carry the entire narrative. Actors embraced the Delsarte system of expression, a formal technique that used specific bodily poses and gestures to represent distinct emotions. This highly stylized approach ensured that even viewers seated far from the screen in large theaters could understand the plot through bold physical cues and expansive movements.The landscape shifted dramatically in 1927 with the release of "The Jazz Singer," which introduced synchronized sound and marked the beginning of the transition to "talkies." The industry standardized at 24 frames per second, a speed necessary to ensure the audio track—physically printed on the film strip—played back at consistent pitch and speed. As frame rates increased, motion became more fluid, enabling actors to adopt the naturalistic, subtle acting styles characteristic of modern cinema.Researchers at institutions like the George Eastman Museum have documented how modern digital restorations reveal the technical reality of early film. When 16 fps footage is played at the modern 24 fps standard, action appears unnaturally accelerated and comedic. This playback discrepancy has reinforced the popular perception of silent film acting as inherently frantic and exaggerated, even though actors of the era were simply adapting to the technical constraints of their medium.