One of the things that D.W. Griffith wanted to emphasize in this film was the close-up. Instead of having an air bubble or a title card to express the inner feelings of the characters, Griffith wanted the audience to see the inner life of the characters through the close-up.
2 Reviews
The old subject looks fresh
deickemeyer10 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The deception of country girls by unprincipled young men is all too common, and perhaps the ruthlessness of this species of cruelty has never been more graphically portrayed than has been done in this motion picture. It is the same old story, the moth and the light, if you will, because these young men dazzle and blind like a light, and the simple trustfulness of the unsophisticated maiden. The fake marriage is performed, but the boastfulness of the young man's companions frighten the girl and she flees. Then the profligate's mother suddenly appears and takes him in hand. The result is a change of heart. The young man picks up the girl, has a real ceremony performed, then they go on to her home, and her people believe it is all a mistake. Not all such nefarious work ends so happily, and the Biograph people are to be commended for their restraint in this respect. Staging and acting are alike up to the Biograph standard, and the old subject looks fresh under the company's vigorous treatment. The succession of picturesque rural scenes are alone worth seeing, even though the story is a repetition of a time-worn subject. - The Moving Picture World, October 23, 1909
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