Love and Sacrifice
(1924)
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Love and Sacrifice
(1924)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Neil Hamilton | ... |
Nathan Holden
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Erville Alderson | ... |
Justice Montague
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Carol Dempster | ... |
Miss Nancy Montague
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Charles Emmett Mack | ... |
Justice Charles Montague
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Lee Beggs | ... | |
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John Dunton | ... | |
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Arthur Donaldson | ... | |
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Charles Bennett | ... | |
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Downing Clarke | ... |
Lord Chamberlain
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Frank Walsh | ... | |
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Frank McGlynn Jr. | ... | |
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Arthur Dewey | ... | |
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P.R. Scammon | ... | |
| Lionel Barrymore | ... |
Capt. Walter Butler
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Sydney Deane | ... |
Sir Ashley Montague
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THe first half of the film portrays the struggle of the under-armed, under-manned colonists against the British Redcoats at Lexington, Bunker Hill and Valley Forge. Other landmarks of the American Revolution shown include the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere's midnight ride and Patrick Henry's (played by Frank McGlyyn Jr. and not played by his father Frank McGlynn Sr) inflammatory speeches to the VIrginia House of Burgesses. The second half dwells on the bloody Indian War of Mohawk Valley. THe parts are tied together by the troubled romance between a young patriot, Nathan Holden (Neal Hamilton (I)' )and Nancy Montague (Carol Dempster), the daughter of a Tory Judge. Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
Slow but beautifully-mounted story of the American revolution. Griffith's story-telling seems a lot less heavy-handed than in his earlier historical epics and his tableaux work is fully integrated into the action. Lionel Barrymore is an utter swine, Neil Hamilton is poor but dashing and Carol Dempster is.... well, Carol Dempster is most of what is wrong with Griffith in this period, but she doesn't show up often enough to slow the pace and drama.
Note that the trivia for this movie says it came in originally at slightly more than 2 hours when first released, but that no cut exists that runs longer than 90 minutes. However, the dvd release has been presented at a slower fps rate that increases the tension and brings it back to a bit over two hours.
Far better in terms of story-telling than sound versions, such as THE PATRIOT. While not quite in the league of Griffith's best, such as WAY DOWN EAST and BROKEN BLOSSOMS, an excellent way to spend a couple of hours.