Orphans of the Storm

Rating:
Summary: Great historic period piece
Review: This is one of those early films that kept me checking the date of production. This is impressive stuff coming so early in the history of American cinema. From the lush costumes and sets to the use of thousands of extras, this reminds us how ground-breaking some of Griffith's work truly was.

Sure, it's campy melodrama, the sets are stagey, and cinematography had not yet matured beyond wide-shot vs. close-up, but for its time, "Orphans of the Storm" is full of moving characterizations and real drama. Like Griffith's other great works, "Orphans" is over-long but it must have been an expectation in the day for a "serious" film.

The Gish sisters are great fun to watch, as are the young male stars, Schildkraut and Puglia. I LOVE Lucille La Verne's performance as the "scoundrel" Mother Frochard. You have to love the mustache!

Yes, watch this film for the impressive work by Griffith in this EARLY period piece, but it also serves as a time-capsule to a by-gone era in American cultural history. While not as obvious or heavy-handed as "Birth of a Nation," the political leanings that underscore "Orphans of the Storm" are not subtly hidden but are on full display.

Rating:
Summary: Great historic period piece
Review: This is one of those early films that kept me checking the date of production. This is impressive stuff coming so early in the history of American cinema. From the lush costumes and sets to the use of thousands of extras, this reminds us how ground-breaking some of Griffith's work truly was.

Sure, it's campy melodrama, the sets are stagey, and cinematography had not yet matured beyond wide-shot vs. close-up, but for its time, "Orphans of the Storm" is full of moving characterizations and real drama. Like Griffith's other great works, "Orphans" is over-long but it must have been an expectation in the day for a "serious" film.

The Gish sisters are great fun to watch, as are the young male stars, Schildkraut and Puglia. I LOVE Lucille La Verne's performance as the "scoundrel" Mother Frochard. You have to love the mustache!

Yes, watch this film for the impressive work by Griffith in this EARLY period piece, but it also serves as a time-capsule to a by-gone era in American cultural history. While not as obvious or heavy-handed as "Birth of a Nation," the political leanings that underscore "Orphans of the Storm" are not subtly hidden but are on full display.