It's always interesting once in a while to see an old short film, especially one from over a century ago when film was still in relative infancy. It's even more interesting when it has a young Lionel Barrymore in an early role far removed from his villain and cantankerous roles and direction by DW Griffith at a relatively early stage of his extensive career in quite a prolific year for him. Which is the case for 1912's 'The Burglar's Dilemma' (a very curious and not particularly appetising title).
While 'The Burglar's Dilemma' is not up to the same level of 'The Mothering Heart' and 'The Musketeers of Pig Alley' as far as Griffith's short films go, it is still worth watching. And for more than just Griffith or silent short film completest sake, as it is still entertaining, interesting and well directed and acted. Despite a wildly uneven story that stops 'The Burglar's Dilemma' from being better than it was, which is a shame especially when you see the greatness that Griffith was capable of (even that year).
'The Burglar's Dilemma' has a lot that is good. Barrymore has fun in his role and looks at ease with his material, without being theatrical. Henry B. Walthall, despite his character not being near as interesting, is a good contrast and isn't anaemic or annoying. Robert Harron shows from his exuberance here why it is sad that he didn't have a longer career or life. Dorothy and Lillian Gish play their roles typically beautifully and are expressive without being stagy.
Griffith directs adeptly and with great technical skill and the photography is nicely crafted and not primitive. 'The Burglar's Dilemma' never came over as dull and packs in a lot in merely under 20 minutes and not in a way that feels strained.
By all means, it is not perfect. The story can be silly and contrived, with too much over-reliance on the big coincidence that hangs it together. A coincidence that is not always easy to swallow and makes for some lapses in suspension of disbelief.
Do think that 'The Burglar's Dilemma' would have benefitted from being longer, it's never dull and it always engages but it did feel over-stuffed and hasty in the latter stages particularly.
Concluding, pretty good but not essential Griffith. 7/10.
While 'The Burglar's Dilemma' is not up to the same level of 'The Mothering Heart' and 'The Musketeers of Pig Alley' as far as Griffith's short films go, it is still worth watching. And for more than just Griffith or silent short film completest sake, as it is still entertaining, interesting and well directed and acted. Despite a wildly uneven story that stops 'The Burglar's Dilemma' from being better than it was, which is a shame especially when you see the greatness that Griffith was capable of (even that year).
'The Burglar's Dilemma' has a lot that is good. Barrymore has fun in his role and looks at ease with his material, without being theatrical. Henry B. Walthall, despite his character not being near as interesting, is a good contrast and isn't anaemic or annoying. Robert Harron shows from his exuberance here why it is sad that he didn't have a longer career or life. Dorothy and Lillian Gish play their roles typically beautifully and are expressive without being stagy.
Griffith directs adeptly and with great technical skill and the photography is nicely crafted and not primitive. 'The Burglar's Dilemma' never came over as dull and packs in a lot in merely under 20 minutes and not in a way that feels strained.
By all means, it is not perfect. The story can be silly and contrived, with too much over-reliance on the big coincidence that hangs it together. A coincidence that is not always easy to swallow and makes for some lapses in suspension of disbelief.
Do think that 'The Burglar's Dilemma' would have benefitted from being longer, it's never dull and it always engages but it did feel over-stuffed and hasty in the latter stages particularly.
Concluding, pretty good but not essential Griffith. 7/10.