This one-reel drama by D.W. Griffith has plenty of tension in it, but it also has a somewhat unfinished look, primarily because the story as it stands does not flow as smoothly as it could have. One possible explanation is that some of the inter-titles that might explain things further could be missing. But it also could be the case that Griffith, still in the earlier stages of his career, may have gotten preoccupied with the key scene(s) and did not devote enough attention to setting them up carefully.
The story has Blanche Sweet as a contented young woman living near the sea, who finds herself in sudden peril at the hands of a crew of a gang of seagoing ruffians. The first part shows her happening on them in the midst of their smuggling activities, and being abducted; the last part shows her in increasing danger aboard their ship. The concept of "The Lesser Evil" comes into play in this last portion, when it begins to look as if all hope of rescue is gone.
The movie is weakened by the first part not fitting together all that well. It takes longer than it should to make clear what the unsavory sailors are up to, and why Sweet's character will be in their way. It makes for an unnecessary distraction at the point when the suspense ought to be increasing steadily. This is where a simple inter-title (which may once have existed) would save a lot of trouble.
Once the climactic situation is set up, it is clear enough what the dangers are, although Griffith's personal perspective on them is emphasized rather strongly. It ends in an interesting and somewhat thoughtful fashion that helps out noticeably in making up for the somewhat simplistic tone of the rest of the movie.
The story has Blanche Sweet as a contented young woman living near the sea, who finds herself in sudden peril at the hands of a crew of a gang of seagoing ruffians. The first part shows her happening on them in the midst of their smuggling activities, and being abducted; the last part shows her in increasing danger aboard their ship. The concept of "The Lesser Evil" comes into play in this last portion, when it begins to look as if all hope of rescue is gone.
The movie is weakened by the first part not fitting together all that well. It takes longer than it should to make clear what the unsavory sailors are up to, and why Sweet's character will be in their way. It makes for an unnecessary distraction at the point when the suspense ought to be increasing steadily. This is where a simple inter-title (which may once have existed) would save a lot of trouble.
Once the climactic situation is set up, it is clear enough what the dangers are, although Griffith's personal perspective on them is emphasized rather strongly. It ends in an interesting and somewhat thoughtful fashion that helps out noticeably in making up for the somewhat simplistic tone of the rest of the movie.