The Relief of Lucknow (1912) User Reviews

Very Primitive

[boblipton · 4/10 · 24 May 2020]

Here's the famous Relief of Lucknow from the Indian Mutiny presented in movie form. James Gordon stars as General Havelock.

It's a series of short scenes showing incidents, strung together by titles announcing what the audience is about to see. By 1912, this was already a passe means of organizing a movie. Despite the obvious money spent on costumes, sets, and lots of smoke for the battle scenes, it's not terribly interestingly put together, although for an audience interested in the subject, the picturization of the details may be of some interest.

This picture treats this big theme effectively

[deickemeyer · 7 January 2017]

An emotional, historical melodrama. The very name Lucknow has been made dramatic by its heroic defense during the Sepoy mutiny, by the stirring incident of its relief, and by the work of poets and novelists who have heightened its story and glorified it. This picture treats this big theme effectively. After the opening scenes of the mutiny, we are shown pictures of what happened day after day in the beleaguered city. No other scene in the picture reaches a finer summit of emotion than that in which the city's commander, Sir Henry Lawrence, refuses to be interrupted during the chaplain's prayer, even though the Sepoys had broken through the wall. The sending of the messenger to Gen. Havelock at Cawnpore and the coming of the relief make a fitting ending. It is a picture that will stir and awaken enthusiasm. The photography is as good as usual in Edison pictures. General Havelock is played by James Gordon; Major Banks, of the besieged garrison, by William Randall; the minister, by Charles Sutton, and the British officer who took the message through, by Richard Niel. - The Moving Picture World, August 10, 1912