Swords and Hearts

"Swords and Hearts" is the last and the best of the seven Civil War shorts Griffith directed over a three-year period. This group nicely illustrates his tracking along a very steep learning curve as he becomes ever more technically and creatively proficient with the new art form of film-making. "Swords and Hearts" is billed as a wartime story in old Virginia and entertainingly alternates between domestic and battle sequences.

The chapter captions pretty much tell the story: 1. Hugh Frazier (Wilfred Lucas) son of a wealthy tobacco planter 2. His neighbor-Irene Lambert (Claire McDowell) beautiful but calculating 3. Jennie Baker (Dorothy West) and her father (Francis J. Grandon) of the "poor white class" 4. Promise me you will be mine 5. To join his company in the confederate army 6. We shall marry when you return 7. Months later, unknown to Hugh, Jennie's chance to prove her love 8. To steal a visit with Irene 9. Old Ben (William J. Butler) anticipates the bushwhackers' attack 10. Defeated in war, rejected in love 11. Hugh realizes her loyalty and worth.

The story incorporates Griffith's favorite themes, the superior virtues of the poor white class and the loyalty of good Negro slaves to their masters. It is quite ambitious as at times Griffith cross-cuts between three different events occurring simultaneously. Unfortunately the use of white actors in black-face in several scenes is disconcerting.

Dorothy West was arguably the most contemporary looking and natural of all the silent film stars. Consequently her films from 1910-1917 have held up better even than stuff made years later at the end of the silent film era. West combines the seemingly contradictory qualities of adolescent femininity that fascinated Griffith; a virginal unworldliness and a plucky practicality. In the film's best action sequence Jennie demonstrates her practicality by taking Hugh's uniform and horse, then leading the Yankee cavalry away from her love (during his liaison with Irene). An accomplished rider, West does her own stunts and even shoots a Yankee from horseback.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

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

D. W. Griffith would repeatedly turn to the Deep South at the time of the US Civil War for inspiration throughout his career, and it's impossible to escape the suspicion that he felt as if he were born fifty years too late. There's not a lot of inspiration to be found in this formulaic drama, but it's shot well and demonstrates the director's growing mastery of his craft when compared to the films he was making just 12 months before.

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.

This is a love story of the South. A handsome confederate soldier who is betrothed to a Southern belle goes off to fight for the South. She has only her own interests in mind and goes as the wind blows, Meanwhile, there is a poor farmer's daughter who loves the man and even risks her life to save him. A group of bushwhackers come in and burn the mansion which would leave everyone penniless. Of course, it's the black man (played by a very white man) who saves the day and gets nothing out of the deal. The white folks enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor. Filmwise, it's pretty impressive. Morally, it's totally lacking.