Victory (1919)

Axel Heyst, an uncommitted wanderer, has settled on an island in the South Seas. He takes pity on a troubled young woman, Lena, and gives her refuge on her island. But the piratical Mr. ... See full summary »

Director:

Maurice Tourneur

Writers:

Joseph Conrad (novel), Jules Furthman

Stars:

Jack Holt, Seena Owen, Wallace Beery

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Holt	...	Axel Heyst
Seena Owen	...	Alma
Wallace Beery	...	August Schomberg
Ben Deeley	...	Mr. Jones
Lon Chaney	...	Ricardo
Bull Montana	...	Pedro

Storyline

Axel Heyst, an uncommitted wanderer, has settled on an island in the South Seas. He takes pity on a troubled young woman, Lena, and gives her refuge on her island. But the piratical Mr. Jones, who believes Heyst has treasure buried on his island, leads his cohorts in an invasion of Heyst's haven.

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Plot Keywords:

island | south seas | one word title | hotel | fire | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 December 1919 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le secret du bonheur

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maurice Tourneur Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the only film version of one of his novels or stories that Joseph Conrad actually saw.

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Connections

Version of Victory (1940)

User Reviews

Good Atmospheric Melodrama, With Chaney As a Bonus

This is a good atmospheric melodrama that successfully adapts a Joseph Conrad story of human needs and emotions, and it adds a memorable supporting performance by Lon Chaney as a bonus. The first part moves at a nice, deliberate pace, allowing the characters to define themselves and the tropic island atmosphere to sink in. Then, once it gets moving, it produces some tense moments of suspense, action, and danger.

Jack Holt plays a moody recluse who is drawn into helping out a musician played by Seena Owen. Just as things start to work out for both of them, the villains - Wallace Beery, as a brutish hotel manager, and a ruthless gang that includes Chaney's character - take over the course of events. The story is rather simple in itself, but (as is often the case in Conrad's novels) the key is to watch the characters as they respond to developments.

Holt is actually rather bland as the hero, and this is the main thing that keeps it from being one of the finest pictures of the late 1910s. Owen is quite sympathetic in her role, and often effectively underplays her character's emotions. Beery is well-cast and performs well, but it is Chaney who grabs the attention from everyone else whenever he is on the screen. Even in a supporting role like this, his attention to detail and his understanding of his character's nature come across clearly.

The cast and story work well together and with the setting. The smoldering volcano not only provides atmosphere, but is also an appropriate image for the changes taking place inside the characters, as the tense story movies towards its conclusion.