Salambò

Floubert's historical novel furnished the scenario for this picture of Carthage just before the city was destroyed by Rome. The heroine of the story is the princess, Salambo, priestess of Tenit, and its hero is Macar, a rude northern king, general of the mercenaries, who were employed as protection against Rome. Macar and his brethren were feared by the city. The story deals with the passionate love of this man and woman. Macar, to be near Salambo, profanes the temple of Tenit, the goddess of the Moon, and to keep from being apprehended, snatches the sacred white veil, representing moonlight, from the arms of the image. He is caught later, when he had given the veil back to Salambo and she, as priestess, is compelled to light the fire that will burn him at the stake. She applies the torch, then kills herself. Far weaker stories than this have been called "gripping." The settings, acting and photography of this picture arc wonderful. Artistically it is one of the strongest pictures that has been released this season. - The Moving Picture World, November 4, 1911