Back to God's Country / Something New
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Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Charles Arling, Iron Eyes Cody, Ronald Byram, Roy Laidlaw, William ColvinBrand: Image Entertainment
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC, Silent
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 131 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-04-24
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Image Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Back to God's Country / Something New
Movie Review: Forgotten pioneer
Summary: 4 Stars
The Canadian Nell Shipman was a true female pioneer in the film industry, writing, directing, producing, and starring in her own films in an industry dominated by men. It's a shame most of the powerful women in the film industry in this era are no longer household names, considering all they did not only for the infant film industry but also how they served as role models to other women by being as high-profile and intelligent as they were. Of these two films, I prefer the earlier one, 'Back to God's Country.' It's not one I'd recommend as an ideal first silent film, but it's still quite good, entertaining, and gripping. The plot itself is kind of cliché, Nell's honor being threatened yet unable to tell her injured husband how in danger their lives truly are, what the evil ship's captain wants with her, and how he knows her. The most driving appeal of this film is the Arctic setting, and prior to that the charming place Nell and her husband Peter have in the woods, among a menagerie of quite tame animals, including a cute bear cub named Cubby. Nell was also an animal trainer, which explains why all of these animals one would normally except to be wild are as tame and sweet as housecats or puppies.
The second film, 'Something New,' doesn't have much of a plot; it's so true what reviewers of the time said, that it's like an hour-long commercial for the Maxwell, the then-new brand of car that is the real star of the film. It's amazing how much abuse this poor tin box takes going over mountains, hills, and rock piles, still managing to keep on going, first as Nell's boyfriend is riding to rescue her from the evil cowboys who kidnapped her, and then as the two of them plus their faithful dog drive away from the cowboys hot on their trail. The shot of the "grave for the ages" when the cowboys are trapped under the pile of rocks is heart-stopping in the graphic horrific image it presents. Not essential films, but interesting to see the kinds of things that some women were doing at this time; not all female actors were playing flappers, virgins, or Vamps, but were rather strong independent women like Nell, in control of their own destiny as much as they could be for the times.
Summary of Back to God's Country / Something New
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