The Renunciation

Boyhood chums James Kirkwood (as Joe Fielding) and Harry Solter (as Sam Walters) are both smitten with fair lady Mary Pickford (as Kittie Ryan). When she goes up a hill to fetch a pail of water, both Mr. Kirkwood and Mr. Solter want to help. Ms. Pickford shows a preference for Kirkwood, and allows him to carry her pail, which leaves the jealous Solter fuming. While Pickford does not return Kirkwood's favor either a kiss or an embrace; still, the two men decide she's worth dying for - and, they agree on a duel to the death…

Pickford steals the show; her scolding of the men, and successful "reconciliation" scene is a highlight, along with the outdoor New Jersey landscape, of "The Renunciation". Consider the possibility that Pickford's production of "fiancé" Billy Quick might be due to her character's quick thinking, after she realizes her rivals' plan to duel.

**** The Renunciation (7/19/09) D.W. Griffith ~ Mary Pickford, James Kirkwood, Harry Solter

A Biograph comedy which has much of interest in it and holds the closest attention of the audience from beginning to end. It is a Western mining camp, with a love story, rivals and a duel with bowie knives over a girl which both men, long chums, wanted. She discovers the difficulty and parts the fighters, and as a climax introduces her intended in the shape of one of the most effeminate dudes the sun ever shone on. The rough miners present such a strong contrast that there is no describing the difference. They both mutter something unprintable and leave the pair. The acting of the company and the photographic quality go to make this film unusually interesting and the audience is sure to be pleased with it. The staging is managed with fidelity and there is a snap to it which is irresistible, while the dramatic climaxes are all sufficiently interesting to hold the attention unabated. – The Moving Picture World, July 24, 1909

Although D.W. Griffith is a famous film pioneer and was responsible for many innovations, he also was often very old fashioned and his movies do not necessarily play well today. A great example is "The Renunciation"--a terribly dated film whose narrative style does much to make the film duller than it should be.

When the film begins, you really have no idea what's happening. There is LOTS of acting (gesticulations and the like) but WHY isn't apparent. At the end of each following segment, an intertitle card tells you what is about to happen and the scene unfolds...along with a lot of overacting. Putting descriptors BEFORE the action wasn't uncommon back in the early days of cinema but it certainly ruined the action. So, while the story is about two friends torn apart by their desire for the same woman, it all comes off as pretty boring and anticlimactic because of Griffith's direction. Very stagy, old fashioned and not especially enjoyable even if you love the older silents.

Renunciation, The (1909)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Two friends fall in love with the same woman (Mary Pickford) and try to kill one another. Part drama, part comedy but it remains decent throughout, although the performances could have been better. There's a nice twist ending that makes this better than some.

Cardinal's Conspiracy, The (1909)

** (out of 4)

Another failed comedy from Griffith has a woman refusing an arranged marriage so a Cardinal comes up with a plan for the man to change his looks so that the woman will marry him. Short on laughs but Pickford has a small part.