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The Swastika
(1912) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by [?] Robert Goodman?
Cast: (unknown)
G. Méliès production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by Gaston Méliès. / Released 16 May 1912. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama: Western.
Synopsis: [From Méliès promotional materials] The Indians, unable to get whiskey, kidnap the ranchman’s daughter. Young Elk, an educated Indian, worships Sallie, and schemes to protect her without betraying his men. This he had done by cutting the sign of the Swastika on her forehead. The Indians about to torture their captive discover the sign, and dare not proceed. They set her free and load her with presents. She returns home to thank Young Elk, who has been in prison for his outrage upon her, the reason for which is now clear. // [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Young Elk, an educated Indian, is secretly in love with Sallie, daughter of a prosperous ranchman. But his case is hopeless because Sallie’s affections are already bestowed on Tom, one of the cowboys. Tom, in turn, is loved by Wana, daughter of an Indian chief, and when he makes it plain to her that he is going to marry Sallie, the Indian girl plots revenge on Sallie. The Indians demand whiskey and tobacco from Sallie’s father, and when he refuses, they declare war on the white men. Elk, fearing for the safety of the one he loves, plans to protect Sallie without betraying his tribe. He overpowers her in the woods and with a knife imprints a mysterious sign on her forehead, the Swastika, meaning in Indian language, “Under the protection of The Great Spirit.” The cowboys arrest Elk for the seeming outrage and cast him into prison. Later the Indians, led by Wana, take Sallie captive and threaten her life unless whiskey is furnished, when suddenly the Swastika sign is discovered on her forehead. Instantly she is released and given many presents. She meets the posse, out in search of her, and explains the meaning of the sign upon her forehead. They ride at once to the prison and not only free Elk, but bestow their thanks in fitting manner.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 1 June 1912, page ?] The swastika is a holy sign among the Indians and it means under the care of the Great Spirit. He who wears it is safe even among enemies. The producer has used this to make an effective picture, one that the audience watched with deep interest. It tells how a young Indian, in love with a white girl whom he knew was in danger, stole up behind her, choked her into insensibility and cut with his knife the swastika on her forehead. Later, he is captured by the sheriff and put into prison. She is captured by the Indians, and held for ransom until they find the mark under her hair and set her free with reverence. The situation is worked out with a fair measure of dramatic consistency and is pretty effective. The pictures serve very well to make the story clear.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 27 July 2024.
References: Thompson-Star p. 231 : ClasIm-226 p. 55 : Website-IMDb.
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