D. W. GRIFFTH’S ACHIEVEMENT.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1502, 6 February 1919, Page 32

D. W. GRIFFTH’S ACHIEVEMENT.

“HEARTS OF THE WORLD.” Greater than those mighty films “The Birth of a Nation” and “Intolerance” is D. W. Griffith’s latest triumph “Hearts of the World,” which is now being screened at His Majesty’s Theatre under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Months ago, in his bungalow near Los Angeles, Mr. Griffith had conceived the idea of staging the sweetest love story ever told, with the scenes and incidents taking place in a little village in France, which was devastated and ruined by the war. After an interview with Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Griffith was formally commissioned by the British Government to visit the battlefields of France, when the full resources of the British and French Governments and their armies were placed at his disposal to aid him in his great work. Back of the battle lines in Flanders, through stricken villages in the ruined section of France, following the British Army, risking life a hundred times to get close enough to the firing line to get effective material, Mr. Griffith, his camera man and his intrepid company of players moved and acted for the camera, within sound of the big guns, near bursting shells, until the task was accomplished. Contrasting with the war note is the picturesque life of the villagers, while the love theme revolves around a young author and his neighbour. Upon the eve of the wedding day comes the news of the outbreak of war and the order to mobilise follows it fast and separates the lovers. Their course then develops itself through a maze of

stupendous happenings. Spectacularly “Hearts of the World” is immense. The bombardment of the village, its recapture, trench attacks, the bursting of high explosive shells, the tanks in action, desperate bayonet fighting, are visualised with remarkable fidelity and realism. Needless to say, wonderful acting marks the various characters. Robert Harron is the hero, Lillian Gish the Girl and Dorothy Gish the Little Disturber, the girl street singer, while the twelve-year-old boy Ben Alexander is wonderfully fine. Specially written music accompanies the screenings, and an operatic orchestra, under Mr. John F. Woodward’s direction, enhances the effect. Matinees as well as evening performances are being held this week.