Woe to the Conqueror; or, The Law of War

Summary In the days of yore there existed a condition when war, revolution and massacre prevailed. Vice and immoral tactics were practiced by army officers to such extents that it aroused the people to a pitch of rebellion, and in such, we find the city of Persania, a terrific field of battle. After days of bloody battle, the victorious army under General Zachine, invade the home of Countess Xanthias and take possession of it. An officer is immediately captivated by the rare beauty of the young Countess; he waits his chance and in a drunken mood attacks her. A struggle ensues, in which she kills him with his own sword, and makes good her escape. Upon discovery of the head officer, General Zachine orders the arrest of the entire household and condemns them to die. The young countess returns just as her mother and servants fall victims to the law of war. At the dead body of her mother she vows to avenge her. Two years later at the conclusion of peace Countess Xanthias secures a position in a circus show, she having no other means of a livelihood and goes by the name of Nordiska. She also secures the services of a disguised army officer whose object is to recover valuable documents stolen by General Zachine at the time of war. At a dinner Lieutenant Zachine, the general's son, is invited to a box at the circus to see the celebrated Nordiska. He attends and while performing, Nordiska sees and recognizes the son of her mother's executioner. The Lieutenant upon seeing her falls in love at first sight, and seeks an introduction. He arranges to meet her by consent; Nordiska accepts and here she sets upon the task of fulfilling her vow. The new valet sets to work and manages to get possession of the key to the safe that contain the documents. He secures the papers, but is discovered and trapped. However, he is determined and while his captors are holding consul, he jumps out of a window. A chase follows in which he is wounded, but he succeeds in reaching Nordiska's home. Nordiska in the meantime is entertaining Lieutenant Zachine, and seeing her accomplice, leaves Zachine, secures the papers from the dying offices and escapes. The pursuing party arrive in time to see their man expire, and are surprised to find the lieutenant in an adjoining room. Upon investigation they realize the plot and go in pursuit of the fleeing Nordiska, but she is not to be caught, for by a clever ruse, she eludes pursuit. During the excitement of the chase, Lieutenant Zachine crosses the frontier lines and is put under arrest. He is brought before the governor for trial. Nordiska enters and presents the recovered documents to the governor, whereupon the lieutenant is immediately disarmed, and here we see the words of the wise Gallic distinct, "Vae Victis," or woe to the conqueror. View more details

Woe to the Conqueror; or, The Law of War

Directed : Unknown

Written : Unknown

Stars : Unknown

0

Details

Genres : Drama War

Release date : Mar 31, 1914

Countries of origin : Italy

Language : Italian None

Production companies : Italian American Film Company

Summary In the days of yore there existed a condition when war, revolution and massacre prevailed. Vice and immoral tactics were practiced by army officers to such extents that it aroused the people to a pitch of rebellion, and in such, we find the city of Persania, a terrific field of battle. After days of bloody battle, the victorious army under General Zachine, invade the home of Countess Xanthias and take possession of it. An officer is immediately captivated by the rare beauty of the young Countess; he waits his chance and in a drunken mood attacks her. A struggle ensues, in which she kills him with his own sword, and makes good her escape. Upon discovery of the head officer, General Zachine orders the arrest of the entire household and condemns them to die. The young countess returns just as her mother and servants fall victims to the law of war. At the dead body of her mother she vows to avenge her. Two years later at the conclusion of peace Countess Xanthias secures a position in a circus show, she having no other means of a livelihood and goes by the name of Nordiska. She also secures the services of a disguised army officer whose object is to recover valuable documents stolen by General Zachine at the time of war. At a dinner Lieutenant Zachine, the general's son, is invited to a box at the circus to see the celebrated Nordiska. He attends and while performing, Nordiska sees and recognizes the son of her mother's executioner. The Lieutenant upon seeing her falls in love at first sight, and seeks an introduction. He arranges to meet her by consent; Nordiska accepts and here she sets upon the task of fulfilling her vow. The new valet sets to work and manages to get possession of the key to the safe that contain the documents. He secures the papers, but is discovered and trapped. However, he is determined and while his captors are holding consul, he jumps out of a window. A chase follows in which he is wounded, but he succeeds in reaching Nordiska's home. Nordiska in the meantime is entertaining Lieutenant Zachine, and seeing her accomplice, leaves Zachine, secures the papers from the dying offices and escapes. The pursuing party arrive in time to see their man expire, and are surprised to find the lieutenant in an adjoining room. Upon investigation they realize the plot and go in pursuit of the fleeing Nordiska, but she is not to be caught, for by a clever ruse, she eludes pursuit. During the excitement of the chase, Lieutenant Zachine crosses the frontier lines and is put under arrest. He is brought before the governor for trial. Nordiska enters and presents the recovered documents to the governor, whereupon the lieutenant is immediately disarmed, and here we see the words of the wise Gallic distinct, "Vae Victis," or woe to the conqueror. View more details

Details

Genres : Drama War

Release date : Mar 31, 1914

Countries of origin : Italy

Language : Italian None

Production companies : Italian American Film Company

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The Brand of Cowardice

The Brand of Cowardice

Cyril Van Cortlandt Hamilton, one of the wealthiest young bachelors in New York, has led a life of ease. He is engaged to be married to Marcia West, the daughter of an Army Colonel. While Cyril and Marcia are at a house party, news comes that the National Guard has been called into service. Cyril, a member of a militia regiment, not caring to be subjected to discomfort, declines to accompany his regiment to the border and resigns his commission. For this Marcia breaks her engagement, and accompanies her parents to the border, where Col. West is to take command of his regiment. Upon his return home Cyril considers his act and later enlists as a private in an Irish regiment and goes to the border. His society manners annoy the rough-and-ready men among whom he has cast his lot, and they proceed to make life miserable for him. Corporal Mallin especially loses no opportunity to bully him. Cyril wanders about by himself when not on duty, and meets Idiqui, a Mexican Indian, whose gratitude he earns by aiding his daughter, Rana, who has fallen and hurt herself. The Mexican bandit chief Navarete comes into camp. He has been educated in the United States, and has fallen in love with Marcia, who has refused him. He gets Mallin to steal one of the machine guns for him. When the theft is discovered Mallin accuses Cyril and Idiqui of the crime. Cyril and Idiqui are ordered to the guardhouse. The Indian attempts to escape to his daughter, whose condition is critical, and Mallin raises a gun to shoot, but Cyril overcomes him. Then, realizing that he has placed himself in a serious position and can hope for no leniency from Mallin, he deserts, Idiqui going with him. They set out afoot on the Mexican side of the river. Marcia has come across the river on her early morning ride and stumbles upon the bandits taking the automatic away. She is seen and captured, and Cyril and Idiqui, unarmed and helpless, follow in pursuit, to find out where she is being taken. Idiqui is struck by a rattlesnake, and Cyril cauterizes the wound. The Indian goes to warn the American troops, and Cyril goes on to the Mexican village, where the Mexicans are carousing in front of Navarete's house, where Marcia is held prisoner. Cyril draws the villagers away from the chief's house by setting the village on fire, and then enters the house in time to save Marcia from Navarete, killing the bandit. They escape. They are overtaken in the morning, and ensconced in a sand pocket put up a brave fight. When one cartridge alone remains, Marcia. now acknowledging Cyril's bravery, asks him to kiss her and then kill her with the remaining cartridge, to save her from falling into the hands of the Mexicans. He is about to do so when he himself is shot down. The bandits swoop upon the two, but are stopped by Col. West and a number of his men. A squadron of cavalry and a battalion of infantry also come to the rescue from different directions, cutting off the escape of the Mexicans. Cyril is lifted into Col. West's auto in a dying condition. By the blessing of Providence and his own vigorous constitution, Cyril recovers, and two months later, as he watches the return of the regiment with his beloved wife, Marcia, the men recognize him and discipline is forgotten while the marching troops turn to cheer him.

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