Orphans of the Storm
Orphans of the Storm

Orphans of the Storm

1921Movie150 minEnglish

France, on the eve of the French Revolution. Henriette and Louise have been raised together as sisters. When the plague that takes their parents' lives causes Louise's blindness, they decide to travel to Paris in search of a cure, but they separate when a lustful aristocrat crosses their path.

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Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Director: D.W. GriffithGenres: Drama, History, Romance

Plot Summary

During the French Revolution, two orphaned sisters, Louise and Henriette, are separated when Louise is blinded by a fall and subsequently kidnapped by a cruel nobleman. Henriette embarks on a desperate search for her sister amidst the revolutionary turmoil. Their lives become intertwined with various factions of the revolution, including a nobleman and a radical leader, as they strive to reunite and escape the chaos.

Critical Reception

Orphans of the Storm was a critical and commercial success upon its release, praised for its epic scope, emotional depth, and the performances of the Gish sisters. It is considered one of D.W. Griffith's last major achievements in silent filmmaking, showcasing his directorial prowess in handling large-scale historical dramas.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its grand historical setting and emotional narrative.
  • The Gish sisters' performances were lauded for their strength and sensitivity.
  • Griffith's direction was commended for its masterful handling of dramatic scenes and crowd sequences.

Google audience: Audience reception data from Google is not readily available for this early silent film.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on a massive, elaborate set that recreated a large section of Paris, including streets, buildings, and the Bastille, at a significant cost, reflecting Griffith's ambitious production methods.

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