Summaries

A propagandistic view of the First World War, showing the political greed of the German Kaiser Wilhelm, the resistance of some of his own soldiers, and fanciful prediction of the nature of the war's end.

Marcas, a mighty blacksmith, lives with his daughter Gabrielle, his son Jean, and old Grandmother Marcas in the town of Louvain, Belgium. Far away in Berlin lives Emperor William II, the Kaiser of Germany. The Kaiser is in a foul mood and hurls numerous insults at Captain von Wohlbold. The Captain, able to endure no more, strikes the Kaiser, then commits suicide to atone for his disgrace. The Kaiser soon after declares war, announcing his intention to invade Belgium. Marcas tries to calm the fears of his townspeople, saying that Belgium has signed a treaty of neutrality with Germany, but the Kaiser has torn up the treaty, and soon troops march into Louvain. When a soldier seizes Gabrielle, Marcas kills the men, then throws the body into a burning building to hide his crime. The Lusitania is sunk and the Kaiser bestows on the U-boat captain a special medal, but the thoughts of the women and children he drowned haunts the officer and he goes mad. The President of the United States declares war on Germany, whereupon great troops of soldiers begin to march. The Kaiser is brought the news of the American entrance into the war and is stunned. An end to the war soon comes, and the Kaiser becomes a prisoner of the Belgians.—Anonymous

Details

Keywords
  • war propaganda
  • propaganda film
  • american actor playing foreigner
  • american propaganda
  • distortion
Genres
  • Drama
  • History
  • War
Release date Mar 8, 1918
Countries of origin United States
Language None
Filming locations Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
Production companies Universal Film Manufacturing Company Rupert Julian Productions

Box office

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 10m
Color Black and White
Sound mix Silent
Aspect ratio 1.33 : 1

Synopsis

All Filters