In this early feature, "The Wrath of the Gods", a father (played by Sessue Hayakawa, who's rather unrecognizable under make-up to make him appear older) and daughter (Tsuru Aoki, who married Hayakawa shortly before the release of this film) live under a Buddhist curse that prevents the daughter from being married, lest the Japanese island they inhabit be destroyed by the wrath of the gods. Then, comes along a shipwrecked American Christian (played by Frank Borzage, before his career shifted to directing such classics as "7th Heaven" (1927) and "A Farewell to Arms" (1932)), who converts the Japanese family to his religion and plans to marry the daughter.
Clearly, "The Wrath of the Gods" is rather bigoted in its promotion of Christianity as a peaceful and loving religion and its portrayal of Buddhism as vengeful and violent. Really, the filmmakers display no insight or full understanding of either belief. Beyond this questionable text, however, the film is rather well made for its time and has an exciting climax, with scenes of an angry mob of Buddhists and the wrath of the gods displayed in a volcano eruption. There's some quick editing during the climax, in addition to the special effects to achieve the volcanic eruption, which includes lots of smoke and fire, falling debris and the use of a (obvious) miniature volcano. Additionally, it's interesting to compare this erupting volcano to that in other early silents: "The Last Days of Pompeii" (1913), "Cabiria" (1914) and "Victory" (1919).
Hayakawa is pretty good here, although he's better in the following year's "The Cheat" and in the other film available on the same DVD, "The Dragon Painter" (1919). He commits a few broad gestures in this one, including by holding out his arm. Additionally, it's understandable after seeing "The Wrath of the Gods" and "The Cheat" that he would want to assume more control of the scenarios by starting his own production company. Tsuru Aoki becomes the main focus of this picture, though, as she outshines her would-be husband.
Clearly, "The Wrath of the Gods" is rather bigoted in its promotion of Christianity as a peaceful and loving religion and its portrayal of Buddhism as vengeful and violent. Really, the filmmakers display no insight or full understanding of either belief. Beyond this questionable text, however, the film is rather well made for its time and has an exciting climax, with scenes of an angry mob of Buddhists and the wrath of the gods displayed in a volcano eruption. There's some quick editing during the climax, in addition to the special effects to achieve the volcanic eruption, which includes lots of smoke and fire, falling debris and the use of a (obvious) miniature volcano. Additionally, it's interesting to compare this erupting volcano to that in other early silents: "The Last Days of Pompeii" (1913), "Cabiria" (1914) and "Victory" (1919).
Hayakawa is pretty good here, although he's better in the following year's "The Cheat" and in the other film available on the same DVD, "The Dragon Painter" (1919). He commits a few broad gestures in this one, including by holding out his arm. Additionally, it's understandable after seeing "The Wrath of the Gods" and "The Cheat" that he would want to assume more control of the scenarios by starting his own production company. Tsuru Aoki becomes the main focus of this picture, though, as she outshines her would-be husband.