It´s interesting to see Griffith still holding on to this war epic tradition, even on a smaller scale like this. 1776 or the hessian renegade has an interesting dual nature to it I don´t even think Griffith was aware of when making it. While is easy to say you are with the townspeople in this story, there still is a bit of roughness to the ending that really dose something. It´s a cookie cutter good and evil story that is fun enough. It´s a bit primitive but still has some cool aspects to it.
During the American revolution a soldier needs to deliver a message to George Washinton. He is ambushed and hides in a civilian household. The soldier must now hide while the house is being searched.
The effects are a bit primitive here but that´s to be expected. The guns don´t really hit where they should and the explosions can look a bit goofy, but it really helps the dramatic effect. It seems very theatrical as movies from that time.
The movie also has some problems with it´s story elements. I think some elements where left in just because the director found them funny, like the girl dressing as a soldier for no reason. The shifting of hiding spots also work in context but still feels a bit out of place.
There is this one ugly cut, but other than that the movie is rather beautiful. It has some great costuming and makeup with some decent frames. The house though, it looks out of place somehow. A bit too modern for what I expected. It was a bit distracting and gave me student movie vibes.
The movie has this clear cut good and evil side. The villain soldiers don't just kill, they also harass a woman, just to really drive home they are evil. I still think there is some empathy for the villains at the end, but that´s my reading and I don't think that was the intended reaction.
I like the story of civilians rising up against people they find evil and respectless. They even turn a bit respectless as karma towards the end. While they are definitely too armed for civilians, it´s a good story about rising up against something you can´t tolerate, a theme Griffith loves to do.
The lack of music is to be expected for the age of the movie but can be a bit jarring. I personally didn't notice it too much as my head filled in the missing pieces pretty well.
Again a just fine short. It´s interesting, is clear cut and easy to follow. Nothing incredible, but entertaining enough.