The Drummer of the 8th (1913)

Director:

Thomas H. Ince

Release Date:

28 May 1913 (USA)

Genre:

Short | War | Drama

Plot:

When the Civil War begins, young Billy runs away from home to enlist in the Northern Army as a drummer; he's wounded in battle and taken prisoner...

Plot Keywords:

Battle | Escape | Civil War | Capture | Welcome Home Party

Cast

Cyril Gardner	...	Billy
Mildred Harris
Frank Borzage

Runtime:

28 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (tinted)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Company:

Broncho Film Company

Simple But Effective Civil War Drama

This Thomas Ince feature is an effective Civil War drama with a simple but thoughtful story, enhanced by Ince's ability to set a scene. He has been praised for his skill at composition, and indeed many scenes are notable for their efficient framing, while other scenes (not necessarily at crucial moments) are very pleasing aesthetically.

The story follows a boy who, eager to follow his brother as he goes to war, sneaks away and enlists as a drummer boy. He is taken prisoner, and the tension reaches a peak when he tries to escape, knowing of the Confederate commander's battle plan. The story and its conclusion are by no means predictable, and while Ince's style avoids heavy emotion, the story leaves a definite impression of tragic futility that stays with you afterward.

Ince generally allows the events to speak for themselves, and his approach works pretty well here, making the succession of events seem natural and unforced. His style is not attention-getting, but this is one example that shows how smoothly it can work. It's a downbeat story, but one that makes its point, and one that most who see it will remember.