Directed by W. J. Lincoln Director W. J. Lincoln Production company Amalgamated Pictures | Written by W. J. Lincoln Initial release 1911 Story by W. J. Lincoln | |
Produced by William GibsonMillard JohnsonJohn TaitNevin Tait Starring Arthur StyanNellie Bramley People also search for The Lost Chord, Called Back Producers | ||
The Bells is a 1911 Australian feature-length film directed by W. J. Lincoln. It is based on the famous stage melodrama by Erckmann-Chatrian adapted by Leopold Lewis, which had been adapted for the Australian stage by Lincoln.
Contents
It is considered a lost film.
Plot
Mathias (Arthur Styan) is an innkeeper in a village in Alsace, happily married to Catherine (Miss Grist) and with a daughter Annette (Nellie Bramley). However he is greatly in debt so on Christmas Day 1833 murders a Polish Jew (Mr Cullenane) who visits the inn for his gold. He uses this to pay off his debts and rise in society, becoming the burgomeister of the town – however he is always tormented by guilt.
Fifteen years later on Christmas Day, Mathias becomes delirious and hears the sound of the Jew's sleigh bells. He dreams he is being tried for the murder and is found guilty. He awakes and dies, leaving his family none the wiser.
Cast
Production
The film was an adaptation of a well known play and featured the only known screen appearance of stage actor Nellie Bramley. It was shot partly on location of Mount Donna Buang in Victoria.
Sam Crews was the scenic artist, and John Ennis was the stage manager. Stage scenery was hired from J.C. Williamson Ltd.
Release
Screenings of the film were often accompanied by a lectured from J Ennis, who was in the film.
The film was released in the US in 1914 by Sawyers Inc.