AMERICA (1924)(DVD)SILENT DVD

America
This epic tale about the American Revolution broke the bank for filmmaker D.W. Griffith. Robert W. Chambers loosely adapted his novel, The Reckoning, which focuses on the battles in New York state. Griffith however, found it necessary to add a romance, so Chambers obligingly added one for him. Captain Walter Butler (Lionel Barrymore), a supporter of the king, goads the Iroquois Indians into attacking settlers who are loyal to the Revolution. Nathan Holden (Neil Hamilton) is a dispatch rider for the Boston Committee on Public Safety, and a patriot. While on a mission in Virginia he meets Nancy (Carol Dempster), the daughter of Justice Montague, a Tory (Erville Alderson). The Montagues are on hand in Lexington for the ride of Paul Revere (Harry O'Neill)--one of the highlights of the film. Nancy's brother, Charles (Charles Mack) sides with the rebels and dies during the fighting at Bunker Hill. Nancy and her father go to visit relatives in the Mohawk Valley; Holden meanwhile is with Washington (Arthur Dewey) at Valley Forge. He is sent North with Morgan's raiders to quell the Indian uprising and discovers that Montague has naively betrothed Nancy to the evil Captain Butler. When Montague finds out that Butler is responsible for the massacres it is too late. Holden overhears Butler's plan for another attack and he goes to sound the alarm, even though he must leave Nancy in the lustful clutches of Butler. But the Indians insist on attacking immediately, saving Nancy from Butler's grasp. Morgan's raiders come to the rescue, killing Butler and halting the massacre. Montague finally realizes Holden's worth and approves of a match between him and Nancy. This picture cost nearly a million dollars, got mixed reviews, and did not make its money back. Griffith made one more picture--Isn't Life Wonderful--as an independent. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Cast Neil Hamilton as Nathan Holden Erville Alderson as Justice Montague Carol Dempster as Miss Nancy Montague Arthur Dewey as George Washington Lionel Barrymore as Capt. Walter Butler Lee Beggs as Samuel Adams John Dunton as John Hancock Charles Bennett as William Pitt Frank Walsh as Thomas Jefferson Harry O'Neill as Paul Revere Louis Wolheim as Capt. Hare

Crew Herbert Sutch - First Assistant Director D.W. Griffith - Director Rose Smith - Editor James Smith - Editor Charles Kirk - Production Designer Hendrik Sartov - Cinematographer Marcel Le Picard - Cinematographer Billy Bitzer - Cinematographer Hal Sintzenich - Cinematographer D.W. Griffith - Producer

America
(not reviewed)
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: Subtitle Options: Sound Processing: DD2: Dolby Digital Stereo Additional Features: none specified MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: Content Length: 140 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Title Credits [:58] 2. Village of Lexington [2:33] 3. Williamsburg, Virginia [3:59] 4. Parliament [3:38] 5. The House of Burgesses [8:27] 6. Parting of Old Friends [3:01] 7. Indian Confederacy [2:59] 8. Boston [5:01] 9. Hancock and Adams Flee [6:01] 10. Send for Paul Revere [5:37] 11. The Midnight Ride [4:48] 12. The Minute Men [4:52] 13. Dawn [5:43] 14. Concord [1:04] 15. The Shot Heard 'Round the World [9:24] 16. After the Battle [2:40] 17. Bunker Hill [5:47] 18. His Son's Death [9:05] 19. July 4th, 1776, "Liberty" [5:45] 20. Valley Forge [4:54] 21. "A Warning" [3:52] 22. "A Year Later" [9:22] 23. Butler's Council of War [3:12] 24. Warn the Valley [5:33] 25. Fleeing to the Fort [6:42] 26. Captain Hare Attacks [6:15] 27. "Charge" [4:37] 28. Butler is Killed [1:30] 29. Surrender of Cornwallis [2:08]