Orphans of the Storm- 1921

U.S.

Length: 150 minutes

Director: D.W. Griffith

Cast: Lillian Gish, Dorothy Gish, Joseph Schildkraut, Frank Losee, Katherine Emmet, Morgan Wallace, Lucille La Verne, Sheldon Lewis, Frank Puglia, Creighton Hale, Leslie King, Monte Blue, Sidney Herbert, Lee Kohlmar, Marcia Harris

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0012532/

Eric's Impressions: The final Griffith entry in the book is also the most drawn out and boring of his collaborations with Lillian Gish. For this time around, it's Gish squared as the sister of the actress, Dorothy, is in the cast as the blind orphan. Her "sister" is played by Lillian, but as the story goes, the two are not related by blood even though they look quite a lot alike. If you can get past this strange casting decision, and have an abundance of patience, then this movie might just tickle your fancy, especially if you're a fan of the French Revolution. What got me through this snoozer was the introduction of the guillotine as I was hoping for a beheading of every single cast member. Maybe I'm just sick of seeing Gish and being told how to live a moral life by Griffith. Either way, it's refreshing to know that this is the final act.

Natalie's Impressions: Huuuuuggghhh. Big sigh. Finally we are done with Griffith films! This was way too long and very boring. It took forever to get to the climax and once there, Griffith drew out for as long as possible to the point of being annoying. I got the point after five minutes of watching men on running horses then flashes of the guillotine. I liked Lillian and her sister in the film and I wouldn't mind seeing more movies with them as long as it is not directed by Griffith. His films are unnecessarily long and preachy.

COUNTDOWN: Just 992 films to go!