The Slave
About The Slave
In Rome, Nerada turns down the patrician Deletius and marries the poor sculptor Alachus. Years later their child is ill and Alachus cannot sell his statues. He faints from hunger. Nerada goes to the slave market and is sold. Deletius's secretary buys her for his master. Alachus arrives too late, goes home, and finds the child dead. Grief breaks him. Deletius, faced with Nerada, sends her back. When she enters the studio, Alachus comes to himself.
Cast & crew
More about The Slave
D. W. Griffith directed and wrote it. G. W. Bitzer photographed it. Biograph released it on July 29, 1909, one reel, 998 feet. The copyright date is July 30, 1909, J129866. Wikidata gives 11 minutes. Florence Lawrence plays Nerada. James Kirkwood plays Alachus. Harry Solter plays Deletius. Moving Picture World printed the plot.
Themes
Making
Griffith staged the market, the palace, and the sculptor's room as one Biograph reel.
Look
G. W. Bitzer photographed the slave stand and the studio where Alachus collapses.
Preservation
A copy is on Wikimedia Commons.
Notes
- The setting in the Moving Picture World text is Rome, not Greece.
- Mary Pickford plays a slave girl who bores Deletius. Henry B. Walthall plays Alachus's friend. Kate Bruce mourns the child.
- Mack Sennett and Alfred Paget are billed as barbarians in animal skins.
- A copy is on Wikimedia Commons.
Scenes
- Nerada is put on the slave stand and bought for Deletius.
- She walks back into the studio and Alachus recognizes her.
