Based on story by Hall Caine Release date 2 December 1911 Initial release 1911 Story by Hall Caine | Production
company West's Pictures Running time 3,500 feet Director Franklyn Barrett Production company West's Pictures | |
Directed by Franklyn Barrett
Roy Redgrave Starring Roy Redgrave
Eugenie Duggan Cast Roy Redgrave, Bert Bailey, Eugenie Duggan People also search for All for Gold, or Jumping the Claim | ||
The Christian is a 1911 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett based on a story by Hall Caine. It is considered a lost film.
Contents
Plot
Clergyman John Storm is doing mission work in the slums of London when he meets Glory, a girl from the country, who has been persuaded by Lord Robert Ure to seek a career on the stage. Storm tries to persuade Glory not to do it but she refuses. He then asks Lord Ure, which so infuriates him he sends someone to burn down Storm's mission hall. Storm is unconscious inside but he is rescued at the last minute. He goes to see Glory, determined to save her soul, by killing her if need be. But he comes to his senses and the two of them are married.
Cast
Production
The film is based on a popular play that had been recently been produced in Sydney by William Anderson in September 1911. Roy Redgrave had played the role of John Storm in England for two years prior to coming to Australia.
Indoor scenes were shot at Wonderland in Bondi, which was owned by Anderson.
Shooting also appears to have taken place at West's studios, which were on top of their headquarters in Pitt Street, Sydney.
Roy Redgrave later claimed that he produced the picture:
I had a very strenuous time producing this picture, as I had also to play John Storm, the while I was telling the members who were acting in the scenes what to do. All the time I was doing this I thought that when The Christian was thrown upon the white screen John Storm would be mistaken for a ventriloquist. It turned out to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Redgrave would revive the role on stage throughout the rest of his career.
Later Versions
There were other film versions of the play in 1913, 1914, 1915 (from England) and 1923 (from Hollywood).