Before watching this, I had never seen anything from D. W. Griffith. I know, what kind of film buff am I if I haven't seen a single film by that director? I'd heard of him but never watched any of his work. I saw this on Kino's "Movies Begin" DVD set and I must admit the director did a great job. Even though the thing is only 15 minutes, it tells its story very well, with uses of cross-cutting, tracking shots, stunts . . .
The story concerns a telegraphist girl who has to guard a shipment of money ($2,000.00 to be exact). Some tramps find their chance, and attempt a robbery but, the girl is brave and will do anything to stop them. Griffith used some clever techniques to make the story well told. For the locomotive chase, they mounted the camera on a truck and drove along after the train. The cross-cutting between outside and inside the station is also well done and helps build the suspense. Kino also thought to put an orchestral soundtrack which helped make the film even more exciting. It all looks pretty good for the time and even today holds up very well. This isn't "Birth of a Nation" but for what it is it is very good.
The story concerns a telegraphist girl who has to guard a shipment of money ($2,000.00 to be exact). Some tramps find their chance, and attempt a robbery but, the girl is brave and will do anything to stop them. Griffith used some clever techniques to make the story well told. For the locomotive chase, they mounted the camera on a truck and drove along after the train. The cross-cutting between outside and inside the station is also well done and helps build the suspense. Kino also thought to put an orchestral soundtrack which helped make the film even more exciting. It all looks pretty good for the time and even today holds up very well. This isn't "Birth of a Nation" but for what it is it is very good.