In the Border States (1910)

During the Civil War, a father living in a border state leaves to join the Union Army. After he leaves, Confederate troops forage on his property, where a soldier encounters one of his ... See full summary »

Director:

D.W. Griffith

Writer:

Stanner E.V. Taylor

Stars:

Charles West, Charles Arling, William J. Butler

Cast

Credited cast:
Charles West	...	Young Father
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charles Arling
William J. Butler	...	Confederate Soldier
Verner Clarges	...	Union Officer
Edward Dillon	...	Confederate Soldier
John T. Dillon	...	Union Soldier (as Jack Dillon)
Gladys Egan	...	Younger Sister
Frank Evans	...	Confederate Soldier
Francis J. Grandon	...	Surgeon
Guy Hedlund	...	Confederate Soldier
Dell Henderson	...	Union Officer
Henry Lehrman	...	Union Soldier
W. Chrystie Miller	...	Grandfather at Farewell
Owen Moore
Alfred Paget	...	Union Soldier

Storyline

During the Civil War, a father living in a border state leaves to join the Union Army. After he leaves, Confederate troops forage on his property, where a soldier encounters one of his daughters. The father himself is wounded on a hazardous mission and must run for his life, pursued by Confederate soldiers.

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Plot Keywords:

melodrama | american civil war | southern belle

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Genres:

Short | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 1910 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dans les états limitrophes

Filming Locations:

Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Biograph Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

17 min 17 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

User Reviews

Watch for the Early Match Cuts from This Pioneer Filmmaker

"In the Border States" is one of D.W. Griffith's Civil War shorts. Although filmed in the wilds of New Jersey (Delaware Water Gap), from the title the likely intended setting is western Maryland, West Virginia, or eastern Kentucky. A border state would have sent units to both armies but this short features the home of a departing union soldier.

Shortly after he leaves with his regiment an unarmed Condederate arrives at the soldier's house and his youngest daughter (played by Gladys Egan-Mary Pickford has a smaller part as the older daughter) hides him from a Yankee patrol. He tries to kiss her in appreciation but the little girl is too patriotic to allow this. A few days later her wounded father stumbles home pursued by a Confederate patrol. The Confederate she saved is detailed to search the house and he returns the favor by not turning in her father. The little girl again refuses his kiss but they compromise and salute each other.

This is a cute little home front story in the standard silent film style of acting, much more like stage acting than acting for the camera. Some of the scenes are captioned but it is largely unnecessary because you can follow the pantomime without any trouble. Griffith inserts a couple of then revolutionary edits (match cuts) into the film, as actors are going though a door and then coming into the room on the other side. Watch for one of the first continuity problems ever, as a solder with two chevrons on his sleeves goes into the house and in the cut to him from inside he is wearing a uniform with no chevrons.

Griffith manages to incorporate some nice scenery into a couple exterior shots that are staged to take advantage of the scenic background.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.