Product: Civilization
Rating: 3.0
Thomas Ince's Antiwar Epic
Released shortly before America entered World War I, producer Thomas Ince's "Civilization" (1916) was an ambitious, partially successful attempt to match the artistry and scale of D.W. Griffith's "The Birth of a Nation." By incorporating religious symbolism with social commentary, Ince and director Raymond West crafted a film that struck a responsive chord with the audiences of its day. However, once America became involved in the war, "Civilization" was withdrawn from circulation. Despite its historic significance, Ince's pacifist epic languished in obscurity until recent years. Though marred by weak acting and dated melodrama, the picture remains of historic interest for its antiwar sentiments and religious message. "Civilization" did not prevent America from going to war, but it did help the country find a spiritual and moral unity during that turbulent period.