Judith of Bethulia (1914)

Drama | March 1914

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HISTORY

Judith of Bethulia was re-issued in 1917 at six reels under the title Her Condoned Sin with new subtitles and scenes not included in the 1914 version. At that time Biograph took out a second copyright for the new title. Contemporary sources noted that more than fifty prints were released in the U.S. and sixty-one prints were sent to other countries with titles translated into many languages.
       The original production, made in 1913, cost a reported $36,000. Exteriors were shot in Chatsworth Park, CA and interiors were shot in the Biograph Studios in New York. Modern sources list James Smith as the film editor, William Christy Cabanne as assistant director and credit Frank Wood with titles. Additional cast members listed in modern sources include: W. Christie Miller, Gertrude Robinson, Eddie Dillon, Charles Hill Mailes, Frank Opperman, Adolph Lestina, Jennie Lee, William J. Butler, Alfred Paget, Harry Hyde, Clara T. Bracey, W. C. Robinson, Frank Evans, William Carroll, Gertrude Bambrick, and Kate Toncray. In some sources Grace A. Pierce is credited as the author of the poem "Judith of Holofernes," while in others she is given partial credit for the scenario, but her exact relation to the film or poem is unknown.
       According to information in both contemporary and modern sources this was D. W. Griffith's last production for Biograph although The Battle of Elderbush Gulch, filmed earlier, was released later. Other films released by Biograph after this time that credit Griffith with supervision probably were not actually supervised by him. ...

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Judith of Bethulia was re-issued in 1917 at six reels under the title Her Condoned Sin with new subtitles and scenes not included in the 1914 version. At that time Biograph took out a second copyright for the new title. Contemporary sources noted that more than fifty prints were released in the U.S. and sixty-one prints were sent to other countries with titles translated into many languages.
       The original production, made in 1913, cost a reported $36,000. Exteriors were shot in Chatsworth Park, CA and interiors were shot in the Biograph Studios in New York. Modern sources list James Smith as the film editor, William Christy Cabanne as assistant director and credit Frank Wood with titles. Additional cast members listed in modern sources include: W. Christie Miller, Gertrude Robinson, Eddie Dillon, Charles Hill Mailes, Frank Opperman, Adolph Lestina, Jennie Lee, William J. Butler, Alfred Paget, Harry Hyde, Clara T. Bracey, W. C. Robinson, Frank Evans, William Carroll, Gertrude Bambrick, and Kate Toncray. In some sources Grace A. Pierce is credited as the author of the poem "Judith of Holofernes," while in others she is given partial credit for the scenario, but her exact relation to the film or poem is unknown.
       According to information in both contemporary and modern sources this was D. W. Griffith's last production for Biograph although The Battle of Elderbush Gulch, filmed earlier, was released later. Other films released by Biograph after this time that credit Griffith with supervision probably were not actually supervised by him.

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GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
SOURCE CITATIONS
SOURCE
DATE
PAGE
Motion Picture News
3 Feb 1917
p. 762
Moving Picture World
7 Mar 1914
p. 1242
Moving Picture World
13 Jun 1914
p. 1608
Moving Picture World
2 Mar 1918
p. 1272
NYDM
18 Mar 1914
p. 34
NYDM
27 Jan 1917
p. 54, 60
Variety
27 Mar 1914
p. 20
CAST
PRODUCTION CREDITS
NAME
PARENT COMPANY
PRODUCTION COMPANY
PRODUCTION TEXT
BRAND NAME
Special Features Dept.
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
NAME
CREDITED AS
CREDIT
DIRECTOR
PHOTOGRAPHY
G. W. Bitzer
Cam
SOURCES
LITERARY
Based on "The Book of Judith," Old Testament. Apocrypha. The Bible; and on the poem and subsequent play Judith of Bethulia by Thomas Bailey Aldrich (New York, 5 Dec 1904).
LITERARY SOURCE AUTHORS
DETAILS
Alternate Title:
Her Condoned Sin
Release Date:
March 1914
Production Date:

Copyright Info
Claimant
Date
Copyright Number
Biograph Co.
31 October 1913
LP1660
Biograph Co.
17 November 1913
LU1591
Biograph Co.
12 January 1917
LP10278
Physical Properties:
Silent
Black and White
Length(in reels):
4
Country:
United States
Language:
English
SYNOPSIS

The Judean fortress of Bethulia is attacked by the powerful army of Nebuchadnezzar, led by Holofernes. The walls withstand the assault, but many people are killed and Holofernes lays the fortress under siege. Judith, a beautiful and beloved widow, prays for guidance and has a vision that she must offer herself as a sacrifice to Holofernes in order to save Bethulia. She goes to the Assyrian camp dressed in her finest clothes and jewels and completely captivates Holofernes, who surrounds her in luxury. She gains his confidence by promising to betray Bethulia and arranges to spend an evening alone with him. Although she has fallen in love with Holofernes, Judith remembers her loyalty to the Judeans and decapitates the commander with his own sword after getting him drunk. She then goes back to Bethulia with his head. Holofernes' death stuns the Assyrian troops and they are overcome by the inspired Jews. A victory celebration then is held in Bethulia and Judith is hailed as the city's ...

More Less

The Judean fortress of Bethulia is attacked by the powerful army of Nebuchadnezzar, led by Holofernes. The walls withstand the assault, but many people are killed and Holofernes lays the fortress under siege. Judith, a beautiful and beloved widow, prays for guidance and has a vision that she must offer herself as a sacrifice to Holofernes in order to save Bethulia. She goes to the Assyrian camp dressed in her finest clothes and jewels and completely captivates Holofernes, who surrounds her in luxury. She gains his confidence by promising to betray Bethulia and arranges to spend an evening alone with him. Although she has fallen in love with Holofernes, Judith remembers her loyalty to the Judeans and decapitates the commander with his own sword after getting him drunk. She then goes back to Bethulia with his head. Holofernes' death stuns the Assyrian troops and they are overcome by the inspired Jews. A victory celebration then is held in Bethulia and Judith is hailed as the city's savior.

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Legend
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement Award

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