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Right or Wrong?
(1911) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel
Directed by [?] Gaston Méliès and/or Robert Goodman?
Cast: Francis Ford [Dick Dresler], William Clifford [Tom Newhouse]
G. Méliès production; distributed by [?] The General Film Company, Incorporated? / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 2 November 1911; in a split-reel with Mexican As It is Spoken (1911). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [From Méliès promotional materials] A Confederate soldier receives news of his mother’s critical illness, but to reach her side has to steal through the opposing force’s line. A Union soldier spies him, trails him to the house and rushes in to make the arrest, but is pitied by the scene he interrupts — the last embrace of mother and son. He hesitates whether to obey his conscience, which prompts him to free the Confederate, or his duty, which calls upon him to arrest the man. One has to see this picture to judge if his final course of action be Right, or Wrong. // [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Dick Dresler is one of the most faithful guardsmen of the Union line; one who hates a Confederate soldier like sin, and who swears to show no mercy on any rebel who crosses the line. Tom Newhouse, a Confederate, gets news of his mother’s approaching death and hastens to her side, having to steal his way through the Union line, Dick is on guard and discovers the footsteps, which he trails to Tom’s home. He rushes into the house with raised gun and orders everyone to surrender, but is taken suddenly aback at the scene before him, a son’s sorrowful farewell to his dying mother. He slowly lowers his gun, realizing the meaning and the sacredness of Tom’s visit. Dick himself has a mother, and in a moment of fond memory, disregards the rules of war and allows Tom’s freedom. For many a day his conscience asked him the question that he concluded only the Great Judge could answer: did he do Right, or Wrong?
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 18 November 1911, page ?] This picture is based upon a question which is as old as civilized warfare and is no nearer solution now than it was the first time it was asked. Is a soldier justified in permitting one of the enemy to escape when he discovers him, as in this instance, at the bedside of his dying mother? The heart says he is, but according to the rules of warfare as understood by all nations, he has not. This soldier pondered long on the matter after he permitted the escape. He didn’t settle it to suit him after all. This problem gives the film a strength which it would not otherwise possess. It is a commonplace in pictures for one soldier to pursue one of the enemy and ultimately capture him.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 24 May 2024.
References: Thompson-Star p. 230 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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