The Washington times., 1918-06-11
FILM SPECTACLE
BRINGS HORRORS
OF. WAR TO j. S.

IN describing Hearts Of the
world" which was introduced to
Washington at Polls last night, as
a typical Griffith picture, one auto
matIeaIfy brands It a success. 1t was
both
Tears mingled with cheers in the
capacity audience that witnessed the
first showing OF David Wark Grif-
fith's newest film spectacle-an Ru-
dience that included among its num-
bers the President, Mrs. Wilson, Miss
Wilson. Miss Bones and party; Sec
Rotary Of the Treasury and Mrs. Nc
Adoo and others Of prominence Of
ficiaIIy and socially, and numbers OF
Frances famous fighters, the blue
Devils" who are at present visiting
the city.
Under IuVaderH' Heavy Hand.
The wonder picture which Mr.. Grit
nth entities Hearts OF the World"
runs the whole gamut Of human
emotions II 10 the same old love
story, to be sure, but with a new
setting-the setting OF France. sore
oppressed under the heavy hand OF
the Hun invader.
Opening with scenes OF peace-the
time. 1gI2-the picture unfolds
series OF startling Griffith scenes
startling In their beauty and their
resemblance In many a case to the
finest works OF old masters. The
boy and the girl are introduced
Robert Hsrron and Lillian Gish-and
they fall in love. They are Ameri-
cans, in France. Then comes war.
Believing the country that is good
enough to live In, good enough to
night for, the boy, despite his Amer
lean citizenship, takes up arms for
France.
GIrI Len Behind.
The girl II LEFT behind in a village
which is soon Overrun by the Hun
hordes in their primary relentless
advance. There follow scenes which
shock the senses, but scenes which
nevertheless are sadly true. Scenes
showing the utter depravity OF the
Boche, the wild Bacchanalian orgies
70 which the invaders abandon them
selves after their capture OF the little
French village, the inhuman brutality
Of the German officers-au these are
shown with the usual Grihlth faith
fulness TO fact and detail Uncen-
sored as they are, some Of the scenes
are even rsVolting. but they accom-
, plish what little has been able to be
lGccompished % far-they bring home
,tc Americans what war has meant
10 stricken FTGneA
Torn apart By war, the lovers lead
their respective lives Finally the
boy, now an officer, makes his way
n the enemy uniform into the enemy
territory and into his village The
lovers meet, but the boy is discoV-
Sz+ed- There follows scene after scene
Of thrill. pathOs and excitement,
WORKING Up TO . ciimsctic finish that
brings the audience to its feet cheer
nE WHEN
w@8a sPOu Eject.
wen to tell WuuId be to spoil the
picture for thoss wh0 have not yet
seen II. and enc cannot AFFORD to
miss this picture any more than one
could miss "Pershing's Crusaders"
which preceded It II is part OF
Americas education in the meaning
sf war.
As picture Il h . wonderful piece
Of cinematoErsphy. As lesson it Is
unsurpassed
Some OF the scenes are actual war
scenes. They were taken under IRE
Of Hun artillery. The tanks, scores
of them, are shown charging the foe.
The battle scenes are immense in
their scope, ana remarkable in their
hdelity. The character work is won
derful, md every actor in the play
10 deserving Of praise for the work
Of no one artist makes the picture
the wonderful thing II is-it is the
combined work of the cast that
brings the result
Throughout the picture Americas
allies win cheers from the audience
At the end, Americas legions are
shown marching TO help stricken
Europe throw on Prussianism's yoke.
Bedlam breaks loose in the theater.
But column after column could be
consumed with words OF praise for
-Hearts OF the World" And It would
ALL be vain, for to realize the wonder,
the immensely, and the appeal Of this
hlm, IL must be seen.