The Coward
"A story of the Civil War and the making of a man"
Plot
Set during the American Civil War, The Coward tells the story of Jefferson Raynor, the weak-willed son of a stern Virginia colonel. When the war breaks out, Colonel Raynor, disgusted by his son's cowardice, forces him at gunpoint to enlist in the Confederate army. Terrified by the horrors of battle, Jefferson deserts during his first combat experience and returns home in shame. His father disowns him, and Jefferson must live with the burden of his cowardice while the war rages on. Through a series of transformative events and encounters, Jefferson is eventually forced to confront his fears and redeem himself. The film culminates in his heroic sacrifice that proves his courage and restores his honor in his father's eyes.
About the Production
This was one of the first major films directed by Reginald Barker, who was a protégé of Thomas H. Ince. The film utilized real Civil War uniforms and equipment from the period. The battle scenes were filmed on location with hundreds of extras, creating authentic large-scale combat sequences for the time. The production took advantage of California's diverse landscapes to simulate Virginia terrain.
Historical Background
The Coward was produced in 1915, a pivotal year in cinema history. The film industry was transitioning from short one-reel films to feature-length productions. World War I was raging in Europe, though the United States had not yet entered the conflict, making Civil War themes particularly resonant as they explored questions of national unity, sacrifice, and courage. The film reflected the growing sophistication of American cinema, which was beginning to challenge European dominance in film artistry. Thomas H. Ince, the producer, was pioneering systematic film production methods that would later be adopted by Hollywood studios. The film's release coincided with the controversial premiere of D.W. Griffith's 'The Birth of a Nation,' which sparked debates about how the Civil War should be portrayed on screen.
Why This Film Matters
The Coward represents an important milestone in the development of American feature films and the war genre. Unlike many Civil War films of its era, it focused on the psychological impact of war rather than heroic spectacle, anticipating more complex war films to come. The film's sympathetic treatment of a deserter was progressive for its time, suggesting that courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. Charles Ray's performance helped establish the sensitive, introspective male protagonist type that would become common in American cinema. The film's commercial success demonstrated that audiences were ready for more psychologically complex narratives, contributing to cinema's evolution from simple entertainment to a sophisticated art form.
Making Of
The Coward was produced during a transitional period in American cinema when feature-length films were becoming more common. Director Reginald Barker was part of Thomas H. Ince's team of directors at Inceville, one of the first movie studios. The production faced challenges in creating realistic Civil War battle scenes without the benefit of modern special effects. The crew used multiple cameras to capture the action from different angles, an innovative technique for 1915. Charles Ray, who specialized in playing sensitive, vulnerable characters, worked closely with Barker to develop a nuanced performance that avoided melodramatic clichés. The film's emphasis on psychological realism was unusual for the period and required careful direction of the actors' facial expressions and body language.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Robert Newhard was praised for its innovative use of location shooting and dynamic camera work. The film utilized natural lighting for outdoor scenes, creating a more realistic look than the studio-bound productions common at the time. The battle sequences employed multiple camera angles and movement to create a sense of chaos and immediacy. Newhard used close-ups effectively to capture the emotional states of the characters, particularly Charles Ray's expressions of fear and determination. The film also featured carefully composed long shots that emphasized the scale of the battle scenes while maintaining narrative clarity.
Innovations
The Coward featured several technical innovations for its time. The production used the Ince 'assembly line' system of filmmaking, which involved detailed planning and efficient use of resources. The battle sequences employed early techniques of parallel editing to build tension and show simultaneous action. The film also made effective use of location shooting, which was still relatively uncommon in 1915. The production utilized a specially constructed camera crane to achieve dynamic shots of the battle scenes. The film's pacing and narrative structure demonstrated an advanced understanding of cinematic storytelling techniques that would become standard in later years.
Music
As a silent film, The Coward was accompanied by live musical performances during its theatrical run. The original score was composed by Victor Schertzinger, who would later become a prominent film director. The music incorporated popular Civil War-era songs and original compositions that enhanced the emotional impact of key scenes. The score included themes for the main characters and dramatic motifs for the battle sequences. Theater organists and orchestras were provided with detailed cue sheets to ensure consistent musical accompaniment across different venues.
Famous Quotes
A man who has never known fear can never know true courage.
I would rather die a brave man than live a coward.
War makes men of boys, or graves of them.
Your fear is your own prison, son. Only you can unlock the door.
Memorable Scenes
- The opening scene where the colonel forces his son to enlist at gunpoint, establishing the central conflict
- The battle sequence where Jefferson experiences the terror of combat for the first time
- The emotional confrontation between father and son after the desertion
- Jefferson's final heroic act that redeems his character
- The closing scene of reconciliation between father and son
Did You Know?
- Charles Ray's performance as the cowardly son was considered groundbreaking for its psychological depth in silent film acting
- The film was part of Thomas H. Ince's strategy to produce more sophisticated, feature-length films to elevate cinema's artistic status
- Frank Keenan was a renowned stage actor who had transitioned to films, bringing theatrical gravitas to his role as the colonel
- The battle sequences were filmed using techniques that would later influence D.W. Griffith's 'The Birth of a Nation'
- This was one of the first American films to explore the psychological trauma of war rather than just glorifying combat
- The film's theme of redemption through courage resonated strongly with audiences during World War I
- Original production stills show that some scenes were tinted by hand, a common practice for important films of the era
- The film was distributed internationally and was particularly popular in Britain
- A young John Ford reportedly worked as an assistant on this production
- The desertion scene was considered controversial for its sympathetic portrayal of a deserter
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics praised The Coward for its artistic ambitions and emotional depth. The Moving Picture World called it 'a powerful drama of human nature' and singled out Charles Ray's performance as 'extraordinarily convincing.' Variety noted that the film 'rises above the ordinary war picture' through its focus on character development. Modern film historians have recognized it as an important early example of psychological realism in American cinema and a precursor to more sophisticated war films. Critics have particularly noted how the film avoids jingoistic patriotism in favor of exploring universal themes of fear, courage, and redemption.
What Audiences Thought
The Coward was well-received by audiences in 1915 and proved to be a commercial success. Viewers responded strongly to Charles Ray's relatable portrayal of a young man struggling with fear and his journey toward courage. The film's emotional climax reportedly moved audiences to tears in many theaters. The positive reception helped establish Charles Ray as a major star and validated producer Thomas H. Ince's strategy of investing in more sophisticated feature films. Audience letters published in trade papers indicated that many viewers found the film's message about overcoming cowardice inspiring, particularly as the world faced the ongoing crisis of World War I.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Thomas H. Ince's production methods
- Contemporary stage dramas about the Civil War
- Earlier Biograph war films
- Literary tradition of Civil War narratives
This Film Influenced
- The Birth of a Nation (1915) - in terms of battle scene techniques
- The Big Parade (1925) - in psychological approach to war
- All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) - in anti-war sentiment
- Red Badge of Courage films
- Later psychological war dramas
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Film Restoration
The Coward is preserved in the Library of Congress collection and has been restored by film preservationists. A complete 35mm print exists, though some deterioration is evident. The film has been made available through various archival screenings and has been included in collections of early American cinema. The restoration work has preserved the film's tinted sequences and intertitles. Digital copies have been created for scholarly access, though the film is not widely available commercially.