The Bargain

Plot

The Bargain follows Jim Stokes, a notorious bandit known as the Two-Gun Man, who successfully robs a stagecoach but is wounded during his escape from the law. Seeking refuge, he stumbles upon a remote ranch where the family takes him in, unaware of his criminal identity, allowing him to recover from his injuries. During his convalescence, Stokes develops deep feelings for the rancher's daughter, Clara, whose purity and kindness begin to transform his hardened heart and make him question his life of crime. Determined to reform and leave his outlaw past behind, Stokes plans to start anew, but his redemption is threatened when the local sheriff, a morally ambiguous lawman with his own corrupt motives, discovers Stokes' whereabouts and sees an opportunity for personal gain. The film culminates in a dramatic confrontation where Stokes must choose between returning to his criminal ways or using his formidable skills to protect his newfound love and chance at redemption.

Historical Background

The Bargain was released in 1914, a pivotal year in world history and cinema. This was the year World War I began in Europe, though America would not enter the war until 1917. In the film world, 1914 marked the transition from short films to feature-length productions as the industry standard. The western genre was still in its infancy, with most westerns being short, formulaic productions. William S. Hart's approach to westerns, emphasizing psychological depth and moral complexity rather than simple action, represented a significant evolution of the genre. The film was produced during the great migration of film production from the East Coast to Hollywood, taking advantage of California's varied landscapes and favorable weather. This period also saw the rise of the star system, with actors like Hart becoming major attractions who could guarantee box office success. The film's emphasis on redemption and moral ambiguity reflected American society's grappling with rapid modernization and the changing values of the Progressive Era.

Making Of

The Bargain was produced during the transitional period when American cinema was moving from short films to feature-length productions. Director Reginald Barker was part of Thomas H. Ince's production team at Inceville, one of the first movie ranches in California. William S. Hart, having previously been a successful Shakespearean actor on Broadway, brought a level of dramatic intensity and realism to westerns that was unprecedented. He insisted on authentic costumes, props, and locations, often consulting real cowboys and Native Americans for accuracy. The film's production was challenged by the primitive conditions of early location shooting - the cast and crew had to travel by horseback to remote locations and deal with unpredictable weather. Hart's method acting approach was revolutionary for the time; he would stay in character between takes and often rewrote scenes to better reflect his understanding of western authenticity. The film's success led to Hart being given creative control over his subsequent projects, making him one of the first actor-directors in Hollywood.

Visual Style

The cinematography of The Bargain was innovative for its time, utilizing natural lighting and authentic western locations to create a sense of realism. Chief cinematographer Joseph H. August employed wide shots to capture the vastness of the western landscape, a technique that would become standard in the genre. The film made extensive use of exterior shooting rather than the studio-bound approach common in 1914. August experimented with camera movement, including some tracking shots during chase sequences that were technically advanced for the period. The film's visual style emphasized the harsh beauty of the western landscape, using natural features like rock formations and canyons as dramatic backdrops for the action sequences. The cinematography also used contrast effectively, with the bright exteriors of the western landscape juxtaposed against darker interior scenes to reflect the moral themes of the film. August's work on this film helped establish visual conventions for the western genre that would influence filmmakers for decades.

Innovations

The Bargain was technically innovative for its time in several ways. The film's use of extensive location shooting rather than studio sets was groundbreaking for 1914. The production employed early forms of camera movement during action sequences, including some primitive tracking shots that added dynamism to chase scenes. The film's editing was more sophisticated than typical for the period, with better pacing and more effective use of cross-cutting between parallel actions. The production also experimented with special effects, particularly in the stagecoach robbery sequence, which used innovative techniques for creating the illusion of motion and danger. The film's makeup techniques were advanced for the period, with Hart's transformation from hardened outlaw to redeemed man being subtly conveyed through changes in appearance. The production also pioneered the use of natural lighting techniques for outdoor scenes, taking advantage of California's sunlight to create more realistic images than the flat lighting common in studio productions of the era.

Music

As a silent film, The Bargain originally had no recorded soundtrack but would have been accompanied by live musical performance in theaters. The typical accompaniment would have included a pianist or small orchestra playing popular songs of the era along with classical pieces appropriate to the mood of each scene. Theater organists often used themes like 'Home, Sweet Home' for romantic scenes and more dramatic classical pieces for action sequences. Some theaters used compiled cue sheets specifically prepared for the film, suggesting appropriate music for different scenes. The film's emotional depth required more sophisticated musical accompaniment than simpler westerns of the period. Modern restorations of the film have been scored by contemporary silent film composers, typically using a combination of period-appropriate music and original compositions that reflect the film's dramatic themes.

Memorable Scenes

• The stagecoach robbery sequence where Stokes is wounded, showcasing early action cinematography and Hart's stunt work
• The tender scene where Stokes first meets the rancher's daughter, establishing the romantic subplot and his internal conflict
• The moral confrontation scene where Stokes must choose between his outlaw past and his chance at redemption
• The final showdown between Stokes and the corrupt sheriff, resolving the film's central moral dilemma

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised The Bargain for its realism and dramatic intensity. The Motion Picture News wrote that 'Hart brings a dignity and depth to the western character never before seen on screen.' The New York Dramatic Mirror noted that 'the film elevates the western from mere entertainment to serious drama.' Modern critics recognize The Bargain as a landmark film in the development of the western genre. Film historian Kevin Brownlow has called it 'the film where the western grew up.' The Museum of Modern Art included it in their 2013 retrospective of essential American westerns, noting its 'pioneering psychological depth and moral complexity.' Critics particularly praise Hart's performance for bringing Shakespearean gravitas to a genre that had previously been dismissed as juvenile entertainment. The film is often cited as a key influence on later western directors like John Ford and Anthony Mann, who would expand on Hart's themes of redemption and moral ambiguity.

What Audiences Thought

The Bargain was enormously popular with audiences in 1914, becoming one of the biggest box office hits of the year. Contemporary theater reports indicated that the film played to packed houses in major cities across America. Audiences were particularly drawn to William S. Hart's charismatic performance and the film's more realistic portrayal of the West compared to earlier westerns. The film's emotional depth and Hart's portrayal of a redeemable outlaw resonated strongly with early 20th century audiences, who were experiencing rapid social change and industrialization. Many viewers wrote letters to fan magazines praising Hart's authenticity and the film's moral message. The film's success led to increased demand for Hart's films and helped establish him as one of the first true movie stars with a dedicated fan following. Audience reaction was so positive that theater owners often booked the film for multiple weeks, which was unusual for the period when films typically changed weekly.

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