Swords and Hearts (1911)

The Worst Film Ever

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

The acting in this movie is really good.

D.W. Griffith's most infamous film was "Birth of a Nation". Why was it so famous for all the wrong reasons? Because this Southern director re-wrote history and in this film showed the South to be the victim in the Civil War and its aftermath--a victim of 'uppity' blacks intent on defiling white women as well as evil Yankees. Well, while "Swords and Hearts" isn't quite this bad (and doesn't feature the KKK as the heroes!), it does have many elements you'd later see in "Birth of a Nation". Slavery in this film is a good thing and blacks adore their masters. And, interestingly, the black men are played by whites in black makeup! This is possibly because no black would agree to work on such absurd projects! Still, in spite of all this, "Swords and Hearts" is a pretty good film.The film begins with rich Master Hugh going off to fight for his beloved South in the Civil War. He's in love with Miss Irene--not realizing that the poor girl, Jenny, also loves him. What he also doesn't know is that Jenny nearly gets herself killed saving his life. Later, when the war is over, Irene proves to be evil, as she now has a Yankee boyfriend (Oh, my!!). And, Hugh finally realizes that Jenny is one hot tamale.Well acted and with some nice action, if you can ignore all the happy 'blacks' and accept the movie on its own terms, you'll likely enjoy it.

Swords and Hearts (1911) *** (out of 4) A poor girl (Dorothy West) is secretly in love with her rich neighbor (Wilfred Lucas) but he's in love with another woman. He goes off to fight in the war but soon finds himself being chased by Union soldiers but the poor girl comes to his aid. After the war the boy returns home to see that his riches are now gone. Once again Griffith ventures into Civil War territory but at the same time he also gives his morality play about the rich. It's rather amazing to see how many of Griffith's shorts were attacking the rich but its done so with nice detail here. West delivers a very strong performance in the lead and Lucas comes off quite nice as well. There's no big battle scenes but most of the drama comes from one sequence where the Union soldiers burn down the house of the rich boy. Griffith was known for pushing his actors into dangerous situations and this looks like one of those cases. I'm not sure what type of safety procedures were taken but it looks like the two actors are in the burning house way too long and just barely escape. Also, as with His Trust and His Trust Fulfilled, Griffith shows the importance to the black servants helping their owners.

Dorothy West (as Jennie Baker) is of the "poor white class" in old Virginia; she longs for the love of Wilfred Lucas (as Hugh Frazier), the son of a wealthy tobacco planter; but, he only has eyes for the beautiful, calculating Claire McDowell (as Irene Lambert). After going off to join the Civil War, Mr. Lucas steals away from the fighting - to take in some relaxation time with Ms. McDowell. Ms. West has observed the tryst, and unselfishly saves Lucas from a bushwhacking by Union soldiers. Later, Lucas loses his estate in the war, so McDowell rejects him. When all seems lost, Lucas notices West's worth; and, they receive a pleasant surprise from slavishly loyal William J. Butler (as Old Ben). The performances in D.W. Griffith's "Swords and Hearts" are nice; especially that of West, they help convey much of the characters' feelings. The story, and use of the loyal "black-faced" Caucasian slave, drag the film down, however. *** Swords and Hearts (8/28/11) D.W. Griffith ~ Dorothy West, Wilfred Lucas, Claire McDowell

How did Griffiths pack so much into such a short wee film? This is a tale of a beautiful poor white girl, a Confederate officer, an opportunistic upper class woman, and of the perspicacious and cunning loyal black retainer (sadly played in black-face) who is the real hero of the piece. In a mere quarter of an hour the story of class consciousness and its stupidities, of reversal of fortunes, or true love and of the destruction of the Old South is told with skill and artistry. Topped by the wonderful acting of Dorothy West and even more so by the writing of Emmett C. Hall, this is a wonderful, action packed love and war story. Filmed only 47 years after the end of the War Between the States, it is filled with exquisite touches: the utterly "un-Hollywood" homely slouch hat; the chickens running to escape; the corn cob pipe; the use of black powder with all its attendant smoke in the firearms. There is a genuine attempt at some historical accuracy in this piece. The looting of the mansion by the "poor white trash" foreshadows the Russian Revolution which followed close upon the release of "Swords and Hearts". At heart a sentimental romance but one with a courageous and determined woman at its centre.