Features: DVD, Silent
Among the distinguishing talents of filmmaking pioneer d. W. griffith was his gift for endowing history with a sense of dramaand immediacy. In his rarely-Seen 1924 film america, griffith focused his astute cinematic eye and proficiency at melodrama ona rousing, grand scale re-Creation of the war for independence.
Editor's Note
Director D.W. Griffith brings the American Revolution to life in this silent classic. Patriot Nathan Holden (Neil Hamilton) is a courier--ala Paul Revere--who finds himself at the forefront of events when the Revolutionary War breaks out. He loves the aristocratic Nancy Montague (Carol Dempster) but her Tory father (Erville Anderson) disapproves. The villain is Walter Butler (Lionel Barrymore), a savage British captain who allies his troops with bands of murderous Mohicans and conducts the infamous Cherry Valley massacre. He also plans on marrying Nancy once he completes further pillaging, and it's up to Holden to rally the troops and save the day.Griffith's film features many historical recreations (Paul Revere's midnight ride, Washington at Valley Forge, the Battle of Bunker Hill, the signing of the Declaration of Independence) and a lurid sensationalism (rape is threatened, a minuteman is tortured) in the successful style of his BIRTH OF A NATION. Barrymore is nicely florid as Butler, and Hamilton a believable, handsome hero. With tinted scenes and a musical score, this is an often-overlooked Griffith classic, full of vast spectacle, and real thrills.
Plot Summary
Legendary director D.W. Griffith, who examined the Civil War in THE BIRTH OF A NATION, the French Revolution in ORPHANS OF THE STORM, and numerous historical periods in INTOLERANCE, here looks at the fight for America's independence. The tale focuses on Nathan Holden, a man of torn loyalties. He supports the break from England, but loves a woman whose sympathies lie with the Redcoats. Along the way, Griffith dramatizes historical moments such as the Battle of Lexington and Concord, and Paul Revere's midnight ride.
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