The Yaqui Cur
Plot
A prospector teaches a young Yaqui Indian boy the doctrine of peace, instilling in him Christian values of non-violence. When the boy's tribe comes under attack from another Native American group, he refuses to participate in the battle, despite the circling horsemen and cries of the wounded. His fellow warriors, enraged by his pacifism, brand him as a coward and cast him out from the tribe. The boy soon gets his chance to prove the worth of the white man's teachings when he must demonstrate the ultimate sacrifice, laying down his life for a friend in accordance with the principle that 'big love man lay down life for friend.'
About the Production
This was one of hundreds of short films D.W. Griffith directed for the Biograph Company during his prolific period there from 1908-1913. The film was typical of Griffith's output during this era - a one-reel short running approximately 10-15 minutes, filmed quickly and released as part of Biograph's regular weekly schedule. Griffith was known for his rapid production pace, often completing multiple films in a single week.
Historical Background
1913 was a pivotal year in American cinema, marking the transition from short films to feature-length productions. D.W. Griffith was at the height of his powers at Biograph, directing dozens of shorts that year alone while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. The film industry was still in its infancy, with the 'feature film' as a concept just beginning to emerge. This was also a period of significant social change in America, with ongoing debates about Native American rights, assimilation policies, and the role of Christian missionaries in indigenous communities. The film's themes of pacifism and sacrifice reflected contemporary religious and moral discussions. The year 1913 also saw the founding of major studios and the beginning of Hollywood's rise as the center of American film production.
Why This Film Matters
While 'The Yaqui Cur' was a relatively minor short film in Griffith's enormous output, it represents the early development of themes that would become central to American cinema. The film's exploration of sacrifice, redemption, and the clash between cultures reflects the moral and social concerns of early 20th century America. Its portrayal of Native Americans, while stereotypical by modern standards, was part of a broader cinematic tradition that both romanticized and marginalized indigenous peoples. The film also demonstrates Griffith's early mastery of emotional storytelling through visual means, a skill that would revolutionize cinema. As part of Griffith's Biograph period, it contributed to the development of narrative film techniques that would become standard in the industry.
Making Of
The production of 'The Yaqui Cur' was typical of D.W. Griffith's Biograph period - fast, efficient, and economical. Griffith was known for his ability to complete multiple films in a week, and this short would have been filmed quickly, likely over 1-2 days. Robert Harron, who plays the young Indian boy, was one of Griffith's favorite actors and had appeared in numerous Biograph shorts by this time. Kate Bruce, another Griffith regular, often played maternal or nurturing roles in his films. The film was shot during a period when Griffith was rapidly developing his cinematic techniques, including cross-cutting, close-ups, and more sophisticated narrative structures. The outdoor scenes would have been filmed on location near the Biograph studio in California, taking advantage of the natural light and landscape. The battle sequences would have been choreographed quickly but effectively, using a small group of extras on horseback to create the illusion of a larger conflict.
Visual Style
The cinematography of 'The Yaqui Cur' would have been typical of Biograph productions of 1913, using natural lighting for outdoor scenes and basic studio lighting for interiors. The camera work would have been relatively static by modern standards, with the camera positioned to capture the full action in long shots. However, Griffith was already beginning to experiment with closer shots to emphasize emotional moments. The battle sequences would have used wide shots to show the scale of the conflict, while the emotional climax would have moved closer to capture the actors' expressions. The film would have been shot on 35mm black and white film stock, with the visual storytelling relying entirely on composition, movement, and the actors' performances.
Innovations
While 'The Yaqui Cur' was not a groundbreaking technical achievement even for its time, it represents the solid craftsmanship typical of Griffith's Biograph period. The film would have used the standard 35mm format and projection speed of the era. Griffith was already developing his signature techniques of cross-cutting to build tension and parallel action, which would have been employed in the battle sequences. The use of location shooting for outdoor scenes was becoming more common in 1913, and Griffith was among the directors who helped establish this practice. The film's narrative structure, while simple, shows Griffith's growing sophistication in telling complete stories within the constraints of a one-reel format.
Music
As a silent film, 'The Yaqui Cur' would have been accompanied by live music during its theatrical run. The specific musical score is unknown, but it would have likely consisted of popular songs of the period, classical pieces, and improvised piano music. The theater organist or pianist would have created music to match the mood of each scene - exciting, dramatic music for the battle sequences, and solemn, emotional music for the sacrifice scene. The film's intertitles would have been accompanied by appropriate musical cues to emphasize their importance. The music would have been crucial in conveying the emotional and moral weight of the story to the audience.
Famous Quotes
"Big love man lay down life for friend"
Memorable Scenes
- The climactic sacrifice scene where the Yaqui boy proves his courage by laying down his life for his friend, demonstrating the ultimate expression of the Christian doctrine of peace he learned from the prospector
Did You Know?
- This film is one of over 450 short films D.W. Griffith directed before moving to feature films with 'The Birth of a Nation' in 1915
- The title 'Yaqui Cur' refers to the Yaqui people, an indigenous group from northwestern Mexico, though the film was likely not filmed with actual Yaqui actors
- Robert Harron, who plays the Indian boy, was one of Griffith's most frequently used actors, appearing in dozens of Biograph shorts
- The film represents Griffith's early exploration of themes he would later expand upon in his major works, including sacrifice and redemption
- Like many Biograph shorts of this period, the film was likely shot in just one or two days
- The film's intertitles would have been crucial in conveying the moral lesson about Christian pacifism
- This was released during Griffith's most prolific period at Biograph, when he was essentially inventing the language of cinematic narrative
- The film's portrayal of Native Americans reflects the stereotypical and often paternalistic attitudes common in early 20th century American cinema
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception of 'The Yaqui Cur' is difficult to document, as film criticism was still in its infancy in 1913 and most reviews of Biograph shorts were brief. The film would have been reviewed primarily in trade publications like The Moving Picture World and Variety, where reviewers typically focused on the film's entertainment value and moral message. Modern critical assessment is limited by the film's obscurity and the fact that it represents an early, less sophisticated phase of Griffith's career. Film historians recognize it as part of Griffith's important formative period at Biograph, where he developed many of the techniques that would later make him famous. The film's themes and techniques are seen as precursors to Griffith's more ambitious works.
What Audiences Thought
Audience reception in 1913 would have been positive, as Biograph shorts were popular entertainment at nickelodeons and small theaters across America. The film's moral lesson and emotional climax would have appealed to contemporary audiences who expected clear moral messages in their entertainment. The spectacle of the battle scenes and the emotional sacrifice of the protagonist would have provided the dramatic elements that audiences of the period enjoyed. As with most Biograph shorts, it would have been shown as part of a varied program of shorts, comedies, and newsreels rather than as a standalone attraction.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Biblical stories of sacrifice
- Contemporary missionary literature
- Popular dime novels about the West
- Stage melodramas
- Earlier Biograph shorts
This Film Influenced
- Later Griffith films dealing with sacrifice and redemption
- Subsequent Western shorts with moral lessons
- Films exploring cultural conflict and assimilation
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Film Restoration
The preservation status of 'The Yaqui Cur' is uncertain. Many Biograph films from this period have been lost due to the unstable nature of early film stock and the fact that shorts were often not considered worth preserving. However, the Library of Congress and other archives have extensive collections of Griffith's Biograph work, so it's possible that a copy exists in their collections. If preserved, it would likely be in 35mm format, possibly as a paper print from the Library of Congress copyright collection.