Richelieu (1914 film)
Richelieu | |
---|---|
Directed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 6 reels later recut to 4 reels[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | Silent with English intertitles |
Richelieu is a 1914 American silent historical drama film written and directed by Allan Dwan, based on the play Richelieu written by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It featured Lon Chaney, Murdock MacQuarrie and Pauline Bush. This was Allan Dwan's last film for Universal, as he moved to New York afterward to work at the Famous Players Company and married his lead actress Pauline Bush in 1915.[2]
Originally released in March 1914 at six
Plot
In 17th-century France, Cardinal Richelieu sends Adrien de Mauprat, who is in love with Richelieu's ward Julie de Mortemar, off to fight the Spanish, as punishment for his disobedience in an earlier military conflict. Baradas (Lon Chaney), a favorite of King Louis XVI, is also in love with Julie, and envies de Mauprat's victories when he winds up winning in battle and returning home a hero. Baradas convinces de Mauprat that the cardinal is plotting against him and draws him into a scheme to kill the cardinal and seize the throne. Richelieu learns of the plot and De Mauprat is imprisoned and sentenced to be executed. Julie pleads for the release of her lover and winds up getting permission to marry him, and de Mauprat is released. Baradas is imprisoned instead, Julie winds up marrying de Mauprat, and Richelieu is restored to power.
Cast
- Murdock MacQuarrie as Cardinal Richelieu
- William C. Dowlan as Adrien de Mauprat
- Lon Chaney as Baradas
- Pauline Bush as Julie de Mortemar
- James Robert Chandler as Sieur de Beringhen
- Edna Maison as Marion de Lormer
- The King
- Richard Rosson as François
- Edythe Chapman as The Queen
- William Lloyd as Joseph
- Frank Rice as Huget
Reception
Motion Picture News wrote: "It is hardly necessary to say that (Allan Dwan) has succeeded in really reproducing this section from this momentous and troubling time in France.....Mr. MacQuarrie's portrayal of Richelieu is really a fine piece of acting." Moving Picture World wrote: "This finely photographed four-reel production of "Richelieu", besides being good entertainment, has a pleasing historical interest...The costuming is pleasing throughout this production, the photography is exceptionally smooth and inviting, and the choice of settings admirable."[5]
References
- ^ Mirsalis, Jon C. "Richelieu". Lonchaney.org. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ "Silent Era: Richelieu". silentera. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ Mirsalis, Jon C. "Richelieu". Lonchaney.org. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ^ Lombardi p.32-33
- ^ Mirsalis, Jon C. "Richelieu". Lonchaney.org. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
Bibliography
- Frederic Lombardi. Allan Dwan and the Rise and Decline of the Hollywood Studios. McFarland, 2013.
External links
- Richelieu at IMDb