FROM THE MANGER TO THE CROSS

US, 1912, 71 minutes, Black and white.
R. Henderson Bland, Gene Gautier.
Directed by Sydney Ollcot.

While there had been quite a number of biblical short films between 1896 and 1911, this was the first full-length gospel feature, directed by Sydney Ollcot who had made quite a number of short films already and was to continue in silent films, written by Gene Gautier who takes the part of Mary in this film.

One of the important features was that it was filmed on location in Palestine and Egypt, in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, even with scenes of the pyramids and the Sphinx for the flight into Egypt sequence. The film uses these locations, the deserts, the mountains and rocks, stone buildings and villages to great effect. A map of the area is shown at the beginning of the film.

The film relies on the Biblical texts for descriptions of the scenes and also for any dialogue.

The film uses the device of a series of tableaux with the use of the tripod and fixed camera for each sequence, often with the framing having the characters in the bottom half and leaving background for the top half. The acting style is very much of the period, huge gesticulation, especially with the performers arms, pointing, reaching to heaven, in prayer, for emphasis…

With some of the high priests, especially in the scene plotting with Judas, the representation of the authorities is somewhat caricature Jewish – perhaps a touch of anti-Semitic.

The sequences are listed:

1. Annunciation, a rather older Mary dressed very sedately, looking particularly like a nun.
2. the introduction to Joseph, Mary carrying a pitcher, a camel passing through.
3. Joseph, his dream, waking.
4. the arriving Bethlehem, with crowds.
5. blue tint: no room at the inn, and the stable, the donkey prominent.
6. the shepherds.
7. the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in prayer at the manger.
8. blue tint: the sheep in the fields.
9. blue tint: the wise men walking through the desert.
10. blue tint the wise men riding.
11. the stable, the donkey, the shepherds and the sheep and the gifts of the shepherd.
12. Herod, extreme right, looking sinister, his advisers, he says he would go to worship the child.
13. blue tint: the travel, the wise men and their entourage.
14. Brown tint: the Magi, the gifts, the predominance of incense.
15. Herod, the Magi returning, riding home?
16. Blue tint: the flight into Egypt, the house, Mary and Joseph coming down the steps, the touch of drama, the escape, Joseph looking out, some editing with close-ups?
17. A prolonged sequence: Brown tint: the pyramids, the Sphinx, Joseph reading with the Sphinx in the background?
18. The period of Jesus’ youth: the leaving of Egypt, the glimpse of Mary with the young Jesus.
19. Nazareth, the pitcher, life in Nazareth?
20. The travelling to Jerusalem, Jesus in the temple with the elders, Mary and Joseph searching with the caravan, the long line in the caravan, returning to Jesus.
21. the ramparts of Jerusalem and the entry.
22. Jesus sitting and discussing, Mary and Joseph glimpsed outside the window looking in.
23. the Temple steps, Jesus, Mary and Joseph coming down, Mary and Joseph with their arms on Jesus’ shoulder?
24. Jesus back in Nazareth, the carpenter shop.
25. John the Baptist, his cry to the hills, the make way text, preaching, wild beard, gesticulating, pointing to Jesus in the distance, Behold the Lamb of God.
26. green tint, the calling of the disciples, the sea, the fish nets, Jesus walking by, the fishers of men, his gesticulations, Peter and Andrew, the boat and the nets, James and John leaving the boats.
27. the beginning of the miracles, Jesus and the crowds, their being carried into him, the very quick cures.
28. Cana, the vats and the tables, Mary not making the request, the filling of the vats, the bright spotlight on Jesus’ face with the miracle, Mary present at the end of the table when the wine is served.
29. the leper, the streets, touching the hem of Jesus’ clothes.
30. more crowds, lifting the paralytic, Jesus preaching, on the roof, the vista of the hills, his taking his bed and walking.
31. the widow of Naim, the action, the bier, the mother, touching the young man, his rising, the embrace.
32. the woman in the city, pouring the ointment, kissing Jesus’ feet, Jesus pointing to her, reaching out to her.
33. Scenes in the Ministry: green tint, Jesus on the boat preaching.
34. blue tint: Jesus walking on the water.
35. the village, the wall, the houses, people.
36. Martha, Mary, cutting between them, the gestures. Martha busy, Mary listening, Jesus smiling, his words, both smiling.
37. the crowd, Jesus’ comments about before Abraham, I am.
38. Lazarus, Jesus sitting on the rocks, with the disciples, Mary pleading, the kiss.
39. Jesus praying, weeping heartily, going to the tomb, the mourners, heavy work taking back the stone, Jesus praying, inviting Lazarus to come forth, his coming out, clothes, removing the binding, embracing Martha and Mary.
40. the crowds from Jericho, the very long file following Jesus.
41. the blind man in the street.
42. the alabaster, Jesus reclining, his head and his feet, Judas picking up the coins, denouncing the woman, Jesus and the poor always with us, the long focus on Judas, his going out.
43. Last days in Jesus’ life: the Mount of Olives, the palms, crowds, hosanna, the mats , Jesus and the donkey.
44. the buyers and sellers, the crowds, Jesus vigorous with the whip.
45. Chief priests, plotting, the balustrade, looking sinister, the Semitic look/stereotype.
46. The blind and lame at the Temple.
47. blue tint, and the Mount of Olives mud, the vista of Jerusalem, Jesus outside the city.
48. Judas coming to betray Jesus, the Chief priests and the balustrade, Judas and his obeisance, the plan, the sinister official playing with his beard and wringing his hands.
49. mauve tint the Last Supper, the washing of the feet, Judas at the edge, Peter’s objections, Judas turning and looking.
50. the supper, some sitting, some reclining, the dipped sop and handing it to Judas, eating, going out
51. the description of the Eucharist as First Communion, Jesus distributing Communion, distributing the chalice.
52. blue tint Judas, the darkness.
53. crucifixion and the death of Jesus .
54. Blue tint: Gethsemane.
55. the three lying down, Jesus praying, the police, the, the gesticulation, bowing in submission.
56. Judas arriving, the s sleepers waking, Judas and the kiss, Jesus asserting himself, the soldiers going, Jesus taken, the sword, Jesus healing the serpent serpent.servant.
57. Judas, his plea, to take the money back.
58. Judas, running, hanging himself.
59. Pontius Pilate, the soldiers and guards, Jesus found bound.
60. Pontius Pilate, the appeal to the people, Jesus rejected.
61. Herod, the mockery, Jesus belted, the crowds.
62. Pontius Pilate, schedules in the background.
63. scourging, the soldiers, the blood.
64. Behold the Man, the rabble, the hands raised, calling out for Jesus to be crucified.
65. Pontius Pilate washing his homes, driving them, Jesus and the soldiers. Pontius Pilate standing, defiant, leaving.
66. the crown of thorns, the reed, the mockery.
67. way of the cross, Jesus, flogged, his mother and the women, continuing to fall, flogged.
68. women watching from far off.
69. , the crucifying, the lifting of the cross, Jesus clothes, casting lots.
70. the good thief and the promise.
71. I thirst.
72. Yuri and John at the port of the cross.
73. red tint the sponge, the earthquake, the clouds, the rocks, breathing – and the three crosses on the screen.
74. mauve tint: Jesus dies.
75. the quotation from John 3:16, God so loved the world.
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