Orphans of the Storm

Plot

Orphans of the Storm follows Henriette and Louise, two young women raised as sisters in rural France whose parents die from the plague, leaving Louise blind. The sisters travel to Paris seeking a cure for Louise's blindness, arriving just as the French Revolution erupts. Their journey turns tragic when they become separated after aristocrat Chevalier de Vaudrey abducts Henriette while Louise is taken in by a poor family. Henriette faces imprisonment and the guillotine as the revolution rages, while Louise struggles to survive on the streets of revolutionary Paris. The film culminates in a dramatic rescue during the Reign of Terror, with Henriette saved from execution by the intervention of Robespierre himself, who has been moved by Louise's plight and innocence. The sisters are eventually reunited, their bond having survived the chaos, brutality, and political upheaval of revolutionary France.

Historical Background

Orphans of the Storm was produced in 1921, during a period of significant transition in American society and the film industry. The United States was emerging from World War I and entering the Roaring Twenties, a time of rapid social change, economic prosperity, and cultural upheaval. The film industry was consolidating, with studios becoming more powerful and films becoming longer and more elaborate. Griffith, already famous and controversial for films like 'The Birth of a Nation' (1915) and 'Intolerance' (1916), was attempting to reclaim his position as America's premier director. The French Revolution setting was particularly relevant in the post-war period, as many saw parallels between the revolutionary upheaval depicted in the film and the social changes occurring in the 1920s, including labor movements, women's suffrage achievements, and challenges to traditional social structures. The film's themes of social justice and class struggle resonated with audiences who had witnessed recent political upheavals in Europe and were experiencing rapid changes in American society.

Making Of

The production of 'Orphans of the Storm' was a massive undertaking for D.W. Griffith, who was determined to create an epic historical spectacle to rival his earlier successes like 'Intolerance.' The film required the construction of enormous sets at Griffith's Mamaroneck studio, with the art department working for months to create authentic recreations of 18th-century Paris. Griffith was known for his meticulous attention to historical detail, consulting with historians and examining period artwork to ensure accuracy. The Gish sisters, who were already established stars, worked closely with Griffith to develop their characters, with Lillian Gish later recalling the grueling filming schedule and physical demands of her role. The film's crowd scenes were among the most ambitious of the silent era, requiring complex choreography to simulate revolutionary riots and public executions. Griffith used innovative techniques including camera cranes and carefully planned tracking shots to capture the scope of the scenes while maintaining intimate character moments.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'Orphans of the Storm' was handled by Hendrik Sartov and Billy Bitzer, Griffith's longtime collaborator and one of the most innovative cinematographers of the early cinema era. The film employed groundbreaking camera techniques for its time, including moving shots during crowd scenes that required specially designed camera mounts and tracks. The lighting design was particularly sophisticated, with the use of shadows and highlights to create mood and emphasize the emotional states of the characters, especially in the prison scenes where low-key lighting created a sense of oppression and despair. The film's visual style combined Griffith's trademark romanticism with a new realism in depicting historical settings, using authentic period details in costumes and props to enhance the sense of historical accuracy. The cinematography effectively contrasted the intimate moments between the sisters with the epic scale of the revolutionary scenes, using different camera techniques for each type of scene. The use of focus and depth of field was advanced for the period, creating visually striking compositions that enhanced the narrative without relying on intertitles for explanation.

Innovations

Orphans of the Storm featured several significant technical innovations for its time that pushed the boundaries of filmmaking in the early 1920s. The film's production design included some of the most elaborate sets built for a silent film, with detailed recreations of 18th-century Paris that required innovative construction techniques to achieve both authenticity and practicality for filming. The coordination of massive crowd scenes, involving thousands of extras, required innovative techniques in staging and camera placement, including the use of elevated platforms and specially designed camera cranes to capture the scale of the scenes. The film employed advanced lighting techniques to create atmospheric effects, particularly in the prison scenes and during the storm sequence referenced in the title, using multiple light sources and colored gels to achieve dramatic effects. The makeup effects, particularly for creating the appearance of blindness and aging, were sophisticated for the period, requiring new techniques in cosmetic application. The film also featured innovative editing techniques, particularly in cross-cutting between the separated sisters to build suspense and emotional impact, using rhythm and pacing to enhance the narrative flow.

Music

As a silent film, 'Orphans of the Storm' was accompanied by musical scores performed live in theaters during its original release. The typical orchestral score included classical pieces adapted to match the film's mood, with composers like Louis F. Gottschalk creating specific arrangements for major theatrical engagements. The music emphasized the French setting with selections from French composers like Berlioz and period-appropriate pieces that would have been familiar to 18th-century Parisians. During dramatic scenes, particularly the climax at the guillotine, the music would swell to create tension and emotional impact, often using familiar classical themes that audiences would recognize. For romantic scenes between the sisters, softer, more melodic pieces were used to emphasize their bond. For modern screenings and home video releases, the film has been accompanied by various commissioned scores, including a notable version by composer Gillian B. Anderson that attempts to recreate the musical experience of the 1920s. The original cue sheets for theater musicians have been preserved in film archives, providing insight into how the film was meant to be experienced musically during its initial run.

Memorable Scenes

• The storm sequence that gives the film its title, where the sisters take shelter during a violent thunderstorm, visually striking and symbolically important as it foreshadows the coming revolutionary storm
• The separation scene in the streets of Paris, where Henriette is abducted by the aristocrat while Louise is left alone and blind, emotionally powerful and technically impressive
• The prison scenes, particularly Henriette's preparation for execution, showcasing Lillian Gish's remarkable acting ability and emotional range
• The climactic rescue at the guillotine, where Henriette is saved at the last moment by Robespierre's intervention, one of the most dramatic sequences in silent cinema
• The final reunion of the sisters, providing an emotional payoff to their separate struggles throughout the film and demonstrating the enduring power of family bonds
• The revolutionary crowd scenes, with thousands of extras recreating the chaos and passion of the French Revolution, technically groundbreaking for their time

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics overwhelmingly praised 'Orphans of the Storm' as a masterpiece of silent cinema. The New York Times called it 'a triumph of motion picture art' and specifically noted the powerful performances of the Gish sisters, with particular emphasis on Lillian Gish's emotional range. Variety magazine highlighted Griffith's 'masterful direction' and the film's 'breathtaking spectacle,' while Photoplay Magazine awarded it their prestigious Medal of Honor. Modern critics continue to appreciate the film's historical significance, with many considering it among Griffith's finest works after 'Intolerance.' The film's emotional power and technical achievements are frequently cited in contemporary reviews, though some modern viewers find its pacing deliberate by current standards. The restoration of the film in the 1990s brought renewed critical attention, with reviewers noting how well the film has held up over time both technically and emotionally. The performances, particularly Lillian Gish's portrayal of Henriette, are consistently praised across decades of criticism as exemplars of silent film acting at its most sophisticated.

What Audiences Thought

Orphans of the Storm was a significant commercial success upon its release in 1921, drawing large audiences to theaters across the United States and Europe. Contemporary accounts describe viewers being deeply moved by the emotional story of the two sisters and marveling at the spectacular recreation of revolutionary Paris. The film's themes of family loyalty and social justice resonated strongly with post-WWI audiences who had experienced loss and disruption. Many theater reports from the era describe audiences weeping openly during the film's dramatic scenes and applauding enthusiastically during the climactic rescue sequence. The Gish sisters, already popular stars, saw their fame increase significantly due to the film's success, with Lillian Gish in particular becoming one of the most respected actresses in Hollywood. While the film was popular in major urban centers, its length and serious subject matter limited its appeal in some rural areas compared to shorter comedies and action films. Despite these limitations, the film performed well enough to be considered one of the year's box office successes and helped establish the historical epic as a profitable genre for studios.

You Might Also Like