The 37 year old Cecil B. DeMille was only concerned about what his audience was willing to consume. This film is a classic example of that because it demonstrates through his leading lady how the way you dress reflects who and what you want to be. The middle classes were obsessed with this idea.
2 Reviews
WWI Dilemma
GManfred24 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I disagree with the rating on this picture as I thought it was an interesting and well-conceived story and with a rooting interest for the audience. It is not a typical Hollywood war picture as there are no battle scenes and most scenes are filmed indoors. A synopsis is tough, but I'll try.
In a (large) nutshell; Capt. Strong's mission is to blow up a German ammo dump, but first must get behind enemy lines. He confiscates the ID of a German prisoner, goes to his home and tells his wife her husband has sent him, and do whatever she is told. Soon they realize they hate the Germans (they are in Belgium) and she dislikes her brutish husband. The plan is to tunnel from her home to the ammo dump and blow it up.
Meanwhile, children from a local orphanage escape and take shelter in her home. The plan goes well until her husband escapes and returns home and discovers the deception. His wife has taken the children down to the tunnel to hide them, as the Captain stalls her husband. Husband calls for backup and the Captain calls off the explosion so the children won't die, as they are right under the ammo. Lots of shooting takes place between the Germans and Americans in the tunnel, but the children are saved - but the Captain is now to be court-martialed for aborting the mission.
All ends well. Her husband is killed in the fighting, the Captain is acquitted and they can presumably live happily ever after. Florence Vidor is lovely as the wife and Bryant Washburn is stalwart as the Captain. Well done all around. The picture was produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille who infuses it with dollops of romance and suspense to please all audiences.
******* 7/10 - Website no longer prints my star rating.
Shown at Capitolfest, Rome NY, 8/22.
In a (large) nutshell; Capt. Strong's mission is to blow up a German ammo dump, but first must get behind enemy lines. He confiscates the ID of a German prisoner, goes to his home and tells his wife her husband has sent him, and do whatever she is told. Soon they realize they hate the Germans (they are in Belgium) and she dislikes her brutish husband. The plan is to tunnel from her home to the ammo dump and blow it up.
Meanwhile, children from a local orphanage escape and take shelter in her home. The plan goes well until her husband escapes and returns home and discovers the deception. His wife has taken the children down to the tunnel to hide them, as the Captain stalls her husband. Husband calls for backup and the Captain calls off the explosion so the children won't die, as they are right under the ammo. Lots of shooting takes place between the Germans and Americans in the tunnel, but the children are saved - but the Captain is now to be court-martialed for aborting the mission.
All ends well. Her husband is killed in the fighting, the Captain is acquitted and they can presumably live happily ever after. Florence Vidor is lovely as the wife and Bryant Washburn is stalwart as the Captain. Well done all around. The picture was produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille who infuses it with dollops of romance and suspense to please all audiences.
******* 7/10 - Website no longer prints my star rating.
Shown at Capitolfest, Rome NY, 8/22.
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