The Heart of Humanity

Plot

The Heart of Humanity follows Nanette, a young American woman living in a small Canadian village who is deeply in love with John Patricia, the eldest of five brothers. Their romantic idyll is shattered when World War I breaks out, and John and his brothers enlist to fight overseas in Belgium and France. Determined to contribute to the war effort, Nanette trains as a Red Cross nurse and follows them to Europe, where she witnesses the horrors of war firsthand. During her service, she encounters the cruel and sadistic Prussian officer Lt. von Eberhard, who becomes obsessed with tormenting her and the wounded soldiers under her care. The film reaches its dramatic climax when Nanette must rescue a baby from von Eberhard's clutches during the brutal German invasion of Belgium, showcasing her courage and humanity amidst the chaos of war. The story culminates with the Allied victory and Nanette's reunion with John, having proven that compassion and love can triumph even in the darkest of times.

Historical Background

The Heart of Humanity was produced during the final year of World War I, when the United States had been fully engaged in the conflict since April 1917. The film emerged during a period when Hollywood was actively producing propaganda films to support the war effort and encourage enlistment. The Committee on Public Information, the U.S. government's propaganda agency, worked closely with studios to ensure films presented the war in a way that supported American involvement. This film was particularly significant because it was released just as the German Spring Offensive was underway in Europe, making its anti-German sentiment especially timely. The film's depiction of German atrocities, while exaggerated for dramatic effect, reflected real concerns about German military conduct in Belgium, particularly the 1914 invasion that had shocked the world. The film's emphasis on humanitarian efforts through the Red Cross also mirrored the growing importance of humanitarian organizations in modern warfare.

Making Of

Director Allen Holubar approached this film as his magnum opus, investing tremendous effort in creating realistic war sequences. The production faced numerous challenges, including staging large-scale battle scenes with hundreds of extras and creating convincing European village sets in California. The controversial baby-tossing scene required careful planning and multiple takes to achieve the desired shocking effect while ensuring no actual harm came to any child actors. Holubar worked closely with military advisors to authenticate the uniforms, weapons, and tactics depicted. The film's success was largely due to Holubar's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to blend melodrama with shocking realism. Dorothy Phillips underwent extensive research for her role as a Red Cross nurse, visiting actual military hospitals and speaking with wounded veterans. The production team constructed elaborate miniature models for some of the destruction scenes, which were then combined with full-scale footage using pioneering special effects techniques.

Visual Style

The film's cinematography, overseen by William F. Haddock, was notable for its innovative use of multiple camera angles during battle sequences and its effective use of lighting to create dramatic contrasts between peaceful village life and the horrors of war. Haddock employed pioneering techniques such as the use of long lenses to create a sense of distance in battle scenes and close-ups to emphasize emotional moments. The film featured some of the most elaborate tracking shots of its era, particularly during the sequences showing Nanette moving through devastated landscapes. The cinematography also made effective use of natural lighting for outdoor scenes, while interior sequences utilized dramatic chiaroscuro effects to enhance the emotional intensity. The battle sequences utilized multiple cameras filming simultaneously, allowing for dynamic editing that created a sense of chaos and urgency that was groundbreaking for its time.

Innovations

The Heart of Humanity featured several technical innovations for its time, including sophisticated miniature effects for the destruction sequences and pioneering use of matte paintings to extend the scope of battle scenes. The film's special effects team developed new techniques for simulating explosions and artillery fire that were more realistic than previous attempts. The production also utilized early forms of process photography for certain scenes, allowing actors to be combined with filmed backgrounds. The battle sequences featured some of the most complex editing of the era, with rapid cuts between multiple perspectives creating a sense of chaos and immediacy. The film also experimented with color tinting, using amber tones for peaceful scenes and blue tints for night sequences. The production team developed new camera mounts that allowed for more dynamic movement during action sequences, particularly for scenes following Nanette through the war-torn landscape.

Music

The original musical score for The Heart of Humanity was composed by Joseph Carl Breil, one of the era's most prominent film composers who had previously worked on D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation. The score was designed to be performed by a full orchestra in larger theaters and by smaller ensembles in smaller venues. Breil incorporated several patriotic themes including adaptations of popular war songs and original compositions that emphasized the film's emotional moments. The music for the German scenes deliberately used dissonant harmonies and minor keys to create a sense of menace, while scenes featuring Nanette and John were accompanied by romantic, sweeping melodies. The score also included sound effects cues for battle sequences, using percussion instruments to simulate gunfire and explosions. Universal published a condensed version of the score for smaller theaters, ensuring that the film's musical accompaniment maintained its emotional impact across various venues.

Memorable Scenes

• The shocking sequence where Lt. von Eberhard throws a baby from a burning building, only to have Nanette dramatically catch it - this became one of the most talked-about scenes in silent cinema
• The massive battle sequence showing the German invasion of Belgium, featuring hundreds of extras and elaborate explosions that set new standards for war scenes
• Nanette's emotional farewell to John as he leaves for the front, intercut with scenes of other families saying goodbye to their soldiers
• The Red Cross hospital scene where Nanette tends to wounded soldiers from both sides, demonstrating her universal compassion
• The final victory celebration where Nanette and John are reunited amidst cheering crowds and waving flags

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised The Heart of Humanity as a powerful and moving war drama. Variety called it 'a masterpiece of patriotic cinema' and particularly commended Dorothy Phillips's performance as 'the embodiment of American courage and compassion.' The New York Times noted that 'while the film may take liberties with historical accuracy, it captures the spirit of the times with remarkable effectiveness.' Some critics, however, questioned the film's heavy-handed propaganda elements, with The Motion Picture News suggesting that 'the vilification of the German enemy occasionally crosses the line from drama into caricature.' Modern film historians view the work as an important artifact of wartime cinema, with scholars noting its technical achievements in battle sequence staging while acknowledging its problematic propagandistic elements. The film is often cited in academic studies of WWI propaganda and early Hollywood war films.

What Audiences Thought

The Heart of Humanity was a massive commercial success upon its release, becoming one of Universal's highest-grossing films of 1918. Audiences were particularly moved by the emotional storyline and the shocking scenes of German atrocities. Contemporary newspaper accounts reported that many theaters experienced standing ovations and that some viewers were moved to tears during the screening. The controversial baby-tossing scene became a major topic of conversation and actually increased public interest in the film. Veterans of the war praised the film's realistic depiction of battlefield conditions, though some felt it romanticized certain aspects of combat. The film's popularity led to increased enlistment in some areas, with military recruiters reportedly setting up booths outside theaters showing the film. Audience reaction was so strong that Universal re-released the film several times during 1918 and 1919, each time drawing substantial crowds.

You Might Also Like