Complete credited cast: | |||
Margaret Mann | ... | Mother Bernle | |
James Hall | ... | Joseph - Her Son | |
Charles Morton | ... | Johann - Her Son | |
Francis X. Bushman Jr. | ... | Franz - Her Son | |
George Meeker | ... | Andreas - Her Son | |
June Collyer | ... | Annabelle | |
Earle Foxe | ... | Major von Stomm | |
Albert Gran | ... | The Postman | |
Frank Reicher | ... | The Schoolmaster | |
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Archduke Leopold of Austria | ... | A Captain |
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Ferdinand Schumann-Heink | ... | A Staff Sergeant |
Jack Pennick | ... | The Iceman |
In Burgendorf, Bavaria, Mother Bernle has four sons. Franz is in the army, Johann works at the forge, Andreas tends the sheep. Joseph is riding a hay wagon with a pretty girl when some of the hay falls off, landing on the fearsome Maj. Von Stomm. Joseph gets a slap from the major... The jovial postman has brought a letter from America. Joseph has the offer of a job in the States. But getting there is so expensive... It's Mother Bernle's birthday and most of the town gathers for the dancing. Mother gives Joseph the money she has secreted away. He leaves for the USA... It is "Der Tag", The Day when war is declared. Franz and Johann are excited about their new uniforms. But America is still neutral. Joseph runs the German-American Delicatessen with his new wife Annabelle. The reports of the first German battles with the Russians are good. So why does the postman carry a black-edged letter for Mother Bernle? When America does enter the war, Joseph enlists and meets his friend, the iceman ... Written by David Steele
John Ford is truly great filmmaker this is the pinnacle (well in my opinion) of silent film. Margaret Mann is a revelation her performance is so enthralling especially in some of the final scenes at the end of the picture.
The story is a strong one but the direction and the way it is put together is truly sensational Ford himself is Irish and this film i feel may be close to his roots.
I was amazed the film didn't have many title cards however it was so simple to follow and by the end of it you're moved by mann's performance. you feel and care for the characters the whole way through that's the mark of a great film.
And for the film buffs watch the early scenes in the film you got to love the tracking shot the mark of master John Ford