Victory (1919)

Axel Heyst, an uncommitted wanderer, has settled on an island in the South Seas. He takes pity on a troubled young woman, Lena, and gives her refuge on her island. But the piratical Mr. ... See full summary »

Director:

Maurice Tourneur

Writers:

Joseph Conrad (novel), Jules Furthman (as Stephen Fox)

Stars:

Jack Holt, Seena Owen, Wallace Beery

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Holt	...	Axel Heyst
Seena Owen	...	Alma
Wallace Beery	...	August Schomberg
Ben Deeley	...	Mr. Jones
Lon Chaney	...	Ricardo
Bull Montana	...	Pedro

Storyline

Axel Heyst, an uncommitted wanderer, has settled on an island in the South Seas. He takes pity on a troubled young woman, Lena, and gives her refuge on her island. But the piratical Mr. Jones, who believes Heyst has treasure buried on his island, leads his cohorts in an invasion of Heyst's haven.

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Plot Keywords:

island | south seas | one word title | volcano | treasure hunter | 

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Taglines:

Love and gold! The lure of tropic isles, where nature laughs and homeless rakes woo fortune. A dirty port on a sunny sea, where rogues have drifted, seeking loot. Love and gold! A man with a clean heart, a woman, and a struggle that sets the blood on fire. (Print Ad- Albuquerque Morning Journal, ((Albuquerque, NM)) 26 February 1920)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 December 1919 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le secret du bonheur

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maurice Tourneur Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film adaptation of a Joseph Conrad novel.

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Connections

Version of Victory (1996)

User Reviews

An Early Masterpiece

After watching Maurice Tourneur's "Victory", the first movie of a Joseph Conrad novel, it makes one lament the loss of Tourneur's "Treasure Island" which also was photographed by Rene Guissart and had Lon Chaney in a great make up. Long thought lost, a beautiful pristine 35 mm print of "Victory" was located in a European film archive. Along with Chaney the cast has pretty Seena Owen looking quite seductive, suave but dull Jack Holt, menacing Wallace Beery, frightening Bull Montana and odd Ben Deeley. Deeley is the least known of the cast. He was married to Barbara LaMarr and would die in 1924 two years prior to Barbara. Deeley made several silent films but "Victory" is one of his few that survive & he gives a memorable creepy characterization. In addition to "Victory", several classic Tourneur silents survive ie Alias Jimmy Valentine(1915), The Wishing Ring(1914), Pride of the Clan(1917), Poor Little Rich Girl(1917), A Girl's Folly(1917), The Blue Bird(1918), Prunella(1918), Last of the Mohicans(1920), The White Moth(1924) and parts of the Mysterious Island(1927-29). Thankfully "Victory" survived the decades, in great condition, and is a great silent film to introduce a newcomer to the genre. A very high & enthusiastic recommendation. Maurice Tourneur, Paramount.