The Mother and the Law

THE MOTHER AND THE LAW was a re-released version of the modern arc from Griffith's 1916 INTOLERANCE.

The film does very well as a standalone film with only a few glitches where something seems left out (odd references to things we have not seen) or where blanks were left in as the episodes were stitched together from the original film.

In any case the performances remain quite strong with Mae Marsh scoring well as "the Dear One." Even the staccato ending from the original still works as one consecutive piece with Robert Harron going to the gallows. Miriam Cooper, as "the Friendless One" has a much bigger role than I remembered and was quite beautiful. I also had forgotten the incredible closeups Griffith gives the three stars.

Oddly, one "flashback" scene remains from INTOLERANCE. In the middle of the story we get a short scene from the Nazarene arc with the adulterous woman about to be stoned (shades of Iran!).

Strong story and very well done. Quite an indictment of "uplifting" societies as well as the sociology of slums.

Co-stars include Vera Lewis, Ralph Lewis, Sam DeGrasse, Walter Long, Mary Aldon, Marguerite Marsh, Max Davidson, and Kate Bruce.