David Markley suggests that Luke Anderson, the village blacksmith, send his daughter Ruth away to school. Three years later, Ruth returns and decides to marry Markley, despite his being a cripple. But then she falls for the happy-go-lucky Jim Dirk. The two elope, leaving Anderson angry and Markley defeated. Several tragedies later, there is a happy conclusion.
The movie features solid acting by all concerned. The first half of the film is so-so, but then it picks up after Ruth and Jim's marriage ends tragically. Swanson is a delight to watch. Theodore Roberts, as Luke Anderson, wears a pretty bad beard, but, as usual, does a good job and steals plenty of scenes. Mickey Moore, as Ruth and Jim's young son, is adorable and has a cute scene when he meets Roberts, who is fishing.
Claire McDowell, who portrays the Anderson's housekeeper, is somewhat over the top with her biblical musings, but hey ... this is a DeMille picture. As for the title, I have no idea how it fits into the picture.
This was the first time I've seen Elliott Dexter, and he carries off his role quite well. He elicits sympathy as a cripple, but also elicits some disdain for his later behavior. The finale, in which he tosses away his crutches, is a bit hokey, but DeMille was going for a nice ending.
Initially, I was not taken with Monte Blue, but as the film wore on, I came to appreciate his performance. In his most impressive scene, he is trapped in a tunnel which is being flooded. I won't give away what happens.
The movie features solid acting by all concerned. The first half of the film is so-so, but then it picks up after Ruth and Jim's marriage ends tragically. Swanson is a delight to watch. Theodore Roberts, as Luke Anderson, wears a pretty bad beard, but, as usual, does a good job and steals plenty of scenes. Mickey Moore, as Ruth and Jim's young son, is adorable and has a cute scene when he meets Roberts, who is fishing.
Claire McDowell, who portrays the Anderson's housekeeper, is somewhat over the top with her biblical musings, but hey ... this is a DeMille picture. As for the title, I have no idea how it fits into the picture.
This was the first time I've seen Elliott Dexter, and he carries off his role quite well. He elicits sympathy as a cripple, but also elicits some disdain for his later behavior. The finale, in which he tosses away his crutches, is a bit hokey, but DeMille was going for a nice ending.
Initially, I was not taken with Monte Blue, but as the film wore on, I came to appreciate his performance. In his most impressive scene, he is trapped in a tunnel which is being flooded. I won't give away what happens.