This is a respectful but slightly stodgy film realization of the Biblical story of Joseph -- played here by future director James Cruze.
Part of the problem is caused by the length of the takes. Thanhouser had developed a house style of camera work in which a brisk pace of cutting hid the camera movement necessary to maintain composition. But in this movie the length of a shot seems to be tied to the average length of the titles, which average five lines from the Bible: screen title, then illustrate it. This was, by 1914, rather old hat, but given that this was a Biblical epic and that FROM THE MANGER TO THE CROSS two years earlier had been such a huge success using the same techniques, the practice is understandable, if slow.
Certainly this was a large production, even for Thanhouser, which was a very ambitious company, quite willing to spend money on sets and costumes. It shows. Also the uncredited set designer and camera man were quite clever. The Egyptian sets have a pretty good 19th Century illustration look to them, sometimes approaching watercolor.
Over all, the effect is a not brilliant and it will never bump Demille from the list of great Biblical epics, but interesting to fans of silent films.
Part of the problem is caused by the length of the takes. Thanhouser had developed a house style of camera work in which a brisk pace of cutting hid the camera movement necessary to maintain composition. But in this movie the length of a shot seems to be tied to the average length of the titles, which average five lines from the Bible: screen title, then illustrate it. This was, by 1914, rather old hat, but given that this was a Biblical epic and that FROM THE MANGER TO THE CROSS two years earlier had been such a huge success using the same techniques, the practice is understandable, if slow.
Certainly this was a large production, even for Thanhouser, which was a very ambitious company, quite willing to spend money on sets and costumes. It shows. Also the uncredited set designer and camera man were quite clever. The Egyptian sets have a pretty good 19th Century illustration look to them, sometimes approaching watercolor.
Over all, the effect is a not brilliant and it will never bump Demille from the list of great Biblical epics, but interesting to fans of silent films.
