Product: Civilization
Rating: 5.0
Much more than just an early film!
This is another superb and special film from the First American Features 1912-1918 series (wish there were many more like these!) which makes a bold and daring statement, namely that we're not civilized if we go to war. The emphasis is on the Christian principle to "love thy neighbor" and even Christ himself is active in this unusual film, helping war-greedy humans to realize the tragedy of war and turn to peace instead. It would be a strong anti-war protest even in our day, and one wonders how this 1916 pacifict cry would be received today. But it's still more than just a powerful message for peace and Christianity because we are shown real people that tug at our heart-strings: the old mother whose son is forced to join the army, the children afraid of never seeing their father again, and even a horse trying to rouse its dead rider with its hoof. The spotlight is on one man who has a change of heart during the war when ordered to sink a cruise ship with innocent women and children on board, and due to the sacrifice he then makes, he receives Christ's spirit into his body to preach peace instead. Despite its strong religious impact, the entire film with its excellent scenes and images make it quite compelling viewing even for the non-religious. The picture quality is extremely good, and the intertitles short and to the point, making it overall a most outstanding and special film well worth having.