1915·Drama·59m
6.9
★
A venal, spoiled stockbroker's wife impulsively embezzles $10,000 from the charity she chairs and desperately turns to a Burmese ivory trader to replace the stolen money.
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
gambling debt
self-defense
stolen money
deceived husband
attempted rape
embezzlement
branding
spoiled women
rape revenge
flirtation
faithful husband
gunplay
courtroom drama
branded
indecent proposal
branding iron
ivory
asian man
private loan
loan due
stock broker
illegal transfers of funds
spoiled socialite
gamble
ruthless man
ivory merchant
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Fannie Ward
Edith Hardy
Sessue Hayakawa
Hishuru Tori [Haka Arakau]
Jack Dean
Richard Hardy
James Neill
Jones
Lucien Littlefield
Hardy's Secretary (uncredited)
Raymond Hatton
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Crew
Cecil B. DeMille
Director
Jeanie Macpherson
Writer
Cecil B. DeMille
Editor
Alvin Wyckoff
Director of Photography
Jesse L. Lasky
Executive Producer
Cecil B. DeMille
Producer
Jeanie Macpherson
Scenario Writer
Popular Reviews
33 reviews
ken
7.0★ · 04/30/26
One Year One Film (6/116)
I don’t know how to feel about this… I thought it was a romance film, but this took an interesting turn. All the characters were somewhat unlikable, didn’t know who to root for. Haka was manipulative and weird, Edith was materialistic that got herself into the problem, and while Richard does care about his wife, he’s not that likable either. Also: why make the only asian character the antagonist?? Edith’s character also felt a bit stereotypical. Not surprised as it is made in 1915 though. Story was a bit unmotivated, but it picks up its pace towards the end. A few cool shots here and there, and I really like the “fight” scene, it was gasping. The ending was pretty great, the last shot of Richard and Edith walking amidst the crowds brought me a sense of joy.
I don’t know how to feel about this… I thought it was a romance film, but this took an interesting turn. All the characters were somewhat unlikable, didn’t know who to root for. Haka was manipulative and weird, Edith was materialistic that got herself into the problem, and while Richard does care about his wife, he’s not that likable either. Also: why make the only asian character the antagonist?? Edith’s character also felt a bit stereotypical. Not surprised as it is made in 1915 though. Story was a bit unmotivated, but it picks up its pace towards the end. A few cool shots here and there, and I really like the “fight” scene, it was gasping. The ending was pretty great, the last shot of Richard and Edith walking amidst the crowds brought me a sense of joy.
One Year One Film (6/116)
I don’t know how to feel about this… I thought it was a romance film, but this took an interesting turn. All the characters were somewhat unlikable, didn’t know who to root for. Haka was manipulative and weird, Edith was materialistic that got herself into the problem, and while Richard does care about his wife, he’s not that likable either. Also: why make the only asian character the antagonist?? Edith’s character also felt a bit stereotypical. Not surprised as it is made in 1915 though. Story was a bit unmotivated, but it picks up its pace towards the end. A few cool shots here and there, and I really like the “fight” scene, it was gasping. The ending was pretty great, the last shot of Richard and Edith walking amidst the crowds brought me a sense of joy.
I don’t know how to feel about this… I thought it was a romance film, but this took an interesting turn. All the characters were somewhat unlikable, didn’t know who to root for. Haka was manipulative and weird, Edith was materialistic that got herself into the problem, and while Richard does care about his wife, he’s not that likable either. Also: why make the only asian character the antagonist?? Edith’s character also felt a bit stereotypical. Not surprised as it is made in 1915 though. Story was a bit unmotivated, but it picks up its pace towards the end. A few cool shots here and there, and I really like the “fight” scene, it was gasping. The ending was pretty great, the last shot of Richard and Edith walking amidst the crowds brought me a sense of joy.
1
crimzzn
Burma mentioned but at what cost
Burma mentioned but at what cost
1
Jelly
3.0★ · 01/27/26
this was interesting, i think my favorite part was when the girl said “i’ll kill myself if you keep me here” and then the guy literally hands her a gun like i almost starting laughing out loud but then i remember it wasn’t that funny of a situation…still
this was interesting, i think my favorite part was when the girl said “i’ll kill myself if you keep me here” and then the guy literally hands her a gun like i almost starting laughing out loud but then i remember it wasn’t that funny of a situation…still
Skipp
5.0★ · 08/19/25
Watched the 1918 edit, which establishes Hayakawa's character as a Burmese ivory trader rather than a Japanese one.
A weird film. Great foundation for the premise - a woman takes $10,000 from charity to invest in a hot tip and is scammed - but turns into a film where she is at the torment of a wealthy man (who is not her husband) that happens to not be white. She shoots him, a trial ensues when her husband is framed, and she finally confesses and all is well. Moral of the story: honesty is the best policy.
Sessue Hayakawa is a great actor and does his best with this role (which is indeed his breakout performance), but to say there isn't some level of racism in this would be inaccurate. It's no wonder, then, that he went on to briefly run his own production company where he and other Asian actors were treated a bit more respectfully on the screen. It's an okay film and nothing more.
A weird film. Great foundation for the premise - a woman takes $10,000 from charity to invest in a hot tip and is scammed - but turns into a film where she is at the torment of a wealthy man (who is not her husband) that happens to not be white. She shoots him, a trial ensues when her husband is framed, and she finally confesses and all is well. Moral of the story: honesty is the best policy.
Sessue Hayakawa is a great actor and does his best with this role (which is indeed his breakout performance), but to say there isn't some level of racism in this would be inaccurate. It's no wonder, then, that he went on to briefly run his own production company where he and other Asian actors were treated a bit more respectfully on the screen. It's an okay film and nothing more.
Watched the 1918 edit, which establishes Hayakawa's character as a Burmese ivory trader rather than a Japanese one.
A weird film. Great foundation for the premise - a woman takes $10,000 from charity to invest in a hot tip and is scammed - but turns into a film where she is at the torment of a wealthy man (who is not her husband) that happens to not be white. She shoots him, a trial ensues when her husband is framed, and she finally confesses and all is well. Moral of the story: honesty is the best policy.
Sessue Hayakawa is a great actor and does his best with this role (which is indeed his breakout performance), but to say there isn't some level of racism in this would be inaccurate. It's no wonder, then, that he went on to briefly run his own production company where he and other Asian actors were treated a bit more respectfully on the screen. It's an okay film and nothing more.
A weird film. Great foundation for the premise - a woman takes $10,000 from charity to invest in a hot tip and is scammed - but turns into a film where she is at the torment of a wealthy man (who is not her husband) that happens to not be white. She shoots him, a trial ensues when her husband is framed, and she finally confesses and all is well. Moral of the story: honesty is the best policy.
Sessue Hayakawa is a great actor and does his best with this role (which is indeed his breakout performance), but to say there isn't some level of racism in this would be inaccurate. It's no wonder, then, that he went on to briefly run his own production company where he and other Asian actors were treated a bit more respectfully on the screen. It's an okay film and nothing more.
Angela
4.0★ · 02/15/25
only watched this to see if the girlypops from 110 years ago were right about how sexy Sessue Hayakawa was and turns out ! They were right!! Mans is seductive of as hell
also shout out to Wikipedia for having this for free on there bc the copyrights expired <3
also shout out to Wikipedia for having this for free on there bc the copyrights expired <3
only watched this to see if the girlypops from 110 years ago were right about how sexy Sessue Hayakawa was and turns out ! They were right!! Mans is seductive of as hell
also shout out to Wikipedia for having this for free on there bc the copyrights expired <3
also shout out to Wikipedia for having this for free on there bc the copyrights expired <3