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Lillian Gish, Dorothy Gish, Joseph Schildkraut

Legendary director D.W. Griffith (INTOLERANCE) delivers another sweeping historical epic with this film, based on the d'Ennery and Corman play, THE TWO ORPHANS. Sisters Lillian and Dorothy Gish are th...( read more  read more... )e girls who become separated in the streets of eighteenth century Paris during the dramatic upheavals of the French Revolution. As Henriette (Lillian Gish) searches for her blind adopted sister Louise (Dorothy Gish), she falls in love with a kind and concerned young member of the aristocracy, Chevalier (Joseph Schildkraut). Unfortunately their love is doomed by her commoner status, and his callous uncle (Frank Losee), who railroads her off to prison to keep them apart. The revolution occurs, and Henriette is liberated, but then there's more trouble when mob rule causes chaos in the streets, the guillotine awaits Chevalier, and Louise remains just out of reach. Griffith captures the class injustice at the heart of this story by contrasting scenes of lavish parties at the houses of the nobles with the abject poverty of the beggars outside. The thrilling use of crowds and meticulous historical accuracy make this an epic comparable in scope and theme to BIRTH OF A NATION, which is how Griffith undoubtedly meant it. The film is silent, with tinted scenes and film score.

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86% liked it

153 ratings

Unrated, 2 hrs. 30 min.

Directed by: D.W. Griffith

Release Date: December 28, 1921

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Flixster Reviews (17)

  • jam233
    November 13, 2009
    jam233
    Excellent silent film, a very sweet drama with superb performances from real life sisters Dorothy and Lillian Gish. Amazingly done, very touching. Well directed. A piece of cinematic history.
  • HuskersNC949597
    August 3, 2009
    HuskersNC949597
    D. W. Griffith chooses the French Revolution for this one, making a salient point about not mistaking fanatics as leaders. But we went ahead and elected our own version of Robespierre anyway.
  • Ghw12158
    November 23, 2008
    Ghw12158
    amazing for a silent and I don't usually like silents

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