| The Heart of Humanity | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Allen Holubar |
| Produced by | Carl Laemmle |
| Screenplay by | Allen Holubar, Olga Scholl |
| Story by | Allen Holubar, Olga Scholl |
| Starring | Dorothy Phillips William Stowell Eric von Stroheim |
| Cinematography | Fred LeRoy Granville |
| Editing by | Frank Lawrence |
| Studio | A Jewel Production |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | December 22, 1918 (New York City) February 15, 1919 (USA) |
| Running time | 10 reels |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent film (English intertitles) |
The Heart of Humanity is a 1918 propaganda war film produced by Universal Pictures and directed by Allen Holubar. The film, which "follows the general theme and construction of Hearts of the World and, in places, parallels [its] plot",[1] stars Dorothy Phillips, William Stowell and Eric von Stroheim. The film was made toward the end of World War I and is known for showcasing von Stroheim as a lecherous 'Hun'. The most notorious scene from this movie is the depiction of a near-rape prior to the defenestration of a crying baby. [2]
Contents |
The New York Times criticized the "theatricalities and sentimental artificialities of his plot" but characterized "some of [Holubar]'s battle panoramas [as] among the most comprehensive and vivid ever reproduced on the screen."[1] It pointed out that "children add to the charm and effectiveness of some of the scenes, and their costumes and acting reveal that intelligence and care in direction elsewhere evident in the production. One receives the impression, however, that the making of a few of the scenes in which the children appear was not very good for the children."[1]
