At the front during World War I, Michael Lanyard, aka "The Lone Wolf," makes it to the Allied trenches and claims he has secret information on the Germans. In a flashback, we learn that some time ago, a German force led by Karl Eckstrom had murdered Lanyard's sister and her child. Now Lanyard wants to get to America, and also get even with Eckstrom, who is currently a member of the German Secret Service. Lanyard books passage on a steamship, where he meets Cecilia Brooks. One night he rescues her when a stranger accosts her. Cecilia gives Lanyard a small cylinder which she claims is vital to the Allied cause. Later, Lanyard is attacked in his stateroom by thugs who demand he turn over the cylinder. He manages to overpower one of them, and recognizes the other as Eckstrom, who escapes with the cylinder. Lanyard gives chase, but Eckstrom throws him overboard. A German submarine fires on the steamship. Lanyard, drifting in the water, finds himself on top of the surfacing submarine. He tells the Germans he is a German spy, thus sparing his life. The sub heads for Martha's Vineyard, where the Germans have established a secret base. Lanyard eventually makes his way to New York, where he discovers that Cecilia and others have survived the submarine attack. Meanwhile, Eckstrom, posing as The Lone Wolf, turns over the cylinder to the British Secret Service in New York, pocketing a ransom of $10,000. Lanyard witnesses the transaction. Eckstrom later returns to the office, intending to take back the cylinder. Lanyard lies in wait. The two enemies scuffle, and Eckstrom escapes. Later, Eckstrom kidnaps Cecilia, and Lanyard rushes to her rescue, setting up the final showdown between the two.
Because of the lousy print (with an even lousier organ score which I eventually turned off), I didn't enjoy this as much as I probably should have. A few scenes were completely unviewable, and many of the title cards were difficult to read. Still, one could get the sense of what was happening, and most of what I saw was entertaining. The film, for the most part, faithfully follows the novel (which is itself a good read). There is a much cleaner version on YouTube, but it's about 20 minutes shorter.
It was fun to see a rather spry and handsome Henry B. Walthall running around, engaging in a few stunts, and even getting into a good slugfest with Chaney. There is an interesting moment in the film when the commander of the submarine and one of his officers have an argument. The officer, who is from Prussia, tells Lanyard that the commander is a "Bavarian dog." This seems to be an attempt to show that not all Germans were rats. This point is hammered home even more when we are informed that the German commander is the same guy who sunk the Lusitania. Boo. Hiss. Another interesting scene occurs later in the film, when Lanyard breaks into the safe in the British Secret Service office in an attempt to retrieve the cylinder before Eckstrom can get it. As he goes through the contents, Lanyard (a former jewel thief) discovers a necklace, and temptation strikes.
The acting, direction, and sets are pretty good. I would have liked to have seen more of Mary Anderson; she doesn't get enough screen time, and she seemed to be spunky.
