Le spéculateur en grains

Directors use the technique of freeze frames in movies to emphasize a crucial point where the picture pauses in midstream, somewhat like a photograph. The first film to use this effective cinematic tool was December 1909's "A Corner of Wheat." D.W. Griffith showed the despair of the poor effected by greed in his--and film's--historic freeze frame.

"A Corner of Wheat" marked Griffith's year-and-a-half of directing films. His innovations in cinematic techniques began to really pile up from this point. The movie highlights his now familiarity with cross-cutting and parallel editing, unfolding a story with two perspectives--here the ravenous rich contrasting against the despairing poor. The depth of field in the beginning and ending shots of the farmers walking towards the camera planting wheat reflect an understanding of using the entire frame to capture the essence of the atmosphere of the narrative.

This is the first time Griffith addressed social disparity and holding those responsible for such unfairness. Based on a 1902 Frank Norris book, "The Pit," Griffith was able to effectively slim down the novel into several concise scenes within a one-reel movie.

A Corner In Wheat (1909) : Brief Review :

D W Griffith's parallels with social commentary on two opposite and inevitable corners of the society. The unavoidable fact of the society was, is and will be that, 'The Rich gets richer and The Poor gets even worse' and unfortunately the world doesn't seems to be bothered by the idea of changing this equation. D W Griffith, who has always showm sympathetic approach to the poor people in his film with one constant condition that the character has to have good and kind Nature, have used the same formula but it was far before he used it in his most popular films made years later. A Corner In Wheat is about an Alan unscrupulous and greedy capitalist speculator decides to corner the wheat market for his own profit, establishing complete control over the markets and destroys the lives of poor people. The film showcases two opposite and different corners of the society, the rich and the poor, dealing with different consequences of the same issue and at the same time. This idea of parallel narrative was loved by audience after 50s but who knew that Griffith did it almost 4 decades ago. Watch out for the scenes when he shows the rich people partying and wasting foods and drinks and on the side we see poor and hungry people in que for food and not getting it. Such a heartbreaking scene it was. And the last frame when the poor man is crying and seeding at the time, what a wonderful thing it was. Hats off to D W Griffith and his imaginative brain which was running far ahead of its time and unfortunately we didn't born in his era to experience his brilliance. Whoever is fan of the cinematic genius called Griffith just can't miss this Short flick. Don't take the rating too seriously as it is purely systematic because films made 10 decades ago just cannot be measured with modern strips. A Must See!

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest

A greedy tycoon decides, on a whim, to corner the world market in wheat. This doubles the price of bread, forcing the grain's producers into charity lines and further into poverty.

D. W. Griffith was, of course, a master of the early cinema and dominated the silent film. He may be best known for "Intolerance" and "Birth of a Nation", but this is a notable film in its own right, showing the struggle between agriculture and investors. What political message was being said (if any)? Strangely, the film is said to be based on the novel "The Pit". How exactly an entire novel can be adapted to a 10-minute film is not known. If anything, it would simply share the same theme. Maybe I ought to track down "The Pit"...

D.W.Griffith's condensed interpretation (14 minutes) of social conscious novelist Frank Norris's The Pit is an early and beautifully crafted example of what incredible influence film could exert in conveying its message to the masses.

A Corner in the Wheat is a clear and concise portrayal of Capitalistic greed as Griffith masterly employs the early tools of the trade to convey and condemn the repercussions of such action. It is early juxtaposition at its best as cross cuts between the have and have nots with well paced editing and striking compositions (the wheat field scenes are right out of Vincent Millette)that graphically illustrates the imperfection of the system.

There is a powerhouse finish rich in irony in this subversive work by the aristocratic Griffith that clearly must have inspired and influenced the work of the great Russian Socialist directors and by doing so adds final irony to this early work of pure cinema.

Early film of "social relevance" directed by D.W. Griffith. It's a little difficult to follow - apparently, Mr. Griffith is showing the contrast between the wealthy "Wheat King" (played by Frank Powell) and the poor "Farmer" (played by James Kirkwood). The farmer does the manual work, laboring in the fields. The wealth businessman reaps the profits, in luxury. In the film, Mr. Powell's character becomes more and more greedy, making the price of goods so high the poor farmers can't afford the goods they helped create. Of the supporting players, Henry B. Walthall is most impressive as Kirkwood's associate. Griffith mixes location and set nicely. Watch the wicked "Wheat King" meet a pitiful, ironic end.

****** A Corner in Wheat (12/13/09) D.W. Griffith ~ Frank Powell, James Kirkwood, Henry B. Walthall