The Blasphemer (1921) User Reviews

Interesting work of religious propaganda.

[Weaselsarefree · 4/10 · 23 September 2011]

'The Blasphemer' from 1921 is an interesting, obscure little film released through a Catholic Film company in the early twenties. The film centers around, John Harden, a successful businessman whose Atheism, blasphemy and infidelity leave him in deep s*@! with the big man in the sky. After denying God, his business empire collapses, followed by his marriage and the relationship with his mistress, ultimately leading to him becoming a street bum. He remains homeless until redeeming himself by seeing the errors of his ways.

Outwardly, the plot seems fairly standard for a religious film. However, the cinematography and story lines take the viewer through bizarre flashback sequences, which are difficult to follow with the title cards, as well as random shots of stained glass windows, superimposed with quotes from the bible, which fit into the sins committed by John Harden's character.

Although, John Harden is a bit of an jerk at times, the plot is preachy and annoying; basically professing that religion, especially, the Christian religion is the only righteous path. If this kind of thing annoys you to no end, I wouldn't recommend watching this, but if you're researching religion from either from a secular point of view, or because you enjoy old-time religious stories, you may enjoy this.

The acting in this film is pretty well done, I honestly have nothing but praise for the people involved in this production. They all emote well, far better, in fact, then some of the acting I've seen in more mainstream productions. I have no gripes with the acting of any of the people who stared in this film, it's too bad none of them were really in any movie other then this.

For a 90 year old film (as of 2011) it is in remarkably good shape. The nitrate has been preserved to a standard almost unlike silent film I have ever seen before. And is worth getting a hold of, if you can find it (I've only ever seen it available on DVD-R). The film does suffer from a lack of a sound track, although the Actors and Actresses do turn a good enough performance to keep a semi-interested viewer entertained.

Recommended, but only for those interested in it as a genre piece, or, time piece. But, take heed; DO NOT MAKE THIS YOUR FIRST SILENT FILM!

Better Than I Expected!

[JohnHowardReid · 6/10 · 9 August 2012]

Written, produced and directed by Otto E. Goebel, The Blasphemer (1921) was sponsored by the Catholic Art Association, by whom it was copyrighted on October 15, 1921. Oddly, two versions of this obscure film are now available, the first, running 82 minutes (which is probably close to the original length) from Grapevine; the second, running only 63 minutes, from Alpha. I watched the Alpha version. The print is slightly superior. And I thought that 63 minutes of preaching was just about all I could stand. Actually, aside from some superfluous material (particularly a long and boring newsreel parade of Catholics on the march) which could easily be cut and a remarkably inept sequence (which cannot be jettisoned as it's essential to the twists of the happiness-ahead plot) in which Irving Cummings (of all people!) enacts the leader of a Chinese slave ring, the movie is quite polished and even reasonably entertaining. Part of the reason for this is the astute acting of the entire cast (with the exception of Mr Cummings and his two equally obvious, off-kilter confederates), particularly George Howard as the fallen-from-grace hero and whoever-it-is who plays the trollop – she's very good indeed. The only credited performer aside from Howard and Cummings, is Augusta Anderson, whom I assume plays Mrs Harden's mother.