Like most of Lon Chaney's films, this one is weird--a definite plus. However, the film overall isn't very good thanks to some spotty writing and it's a shame, as I adore his films...just not this one. And it's really a shame, as the basic premise is really, really cool.
The film begins with a group calling itself The Brotherhood having a secret meeting. Apparently, this self-appointed group decided that it's their job to destroy evil by killing evil people--presumably rich folks who abuse their power. I like this concept but often have found such films always take the stance that such an organization is evil (such as in "The Star Chamber") and it wasn't surprising that eventually this becomes apparent. But in the meantime, they are discussing a particular man that two of the group have been following and observing. John Bowers and Lon Chaney are these two agents and both adamantly feel the man must die--and both feel completely justified to do this. Oddly, you never really hear about what this intended victim has done to merit this.
It just so happens that both these men are in love with the lone female in this small group--Latrice Joy. However, she is so devoted to the cause that she rebuffs both their advances. But, out of the blue, when Bowers is chosen to kill the target, Joy agrees to marry him and spend one night together, as presumably Bowers will either die or be caught by police after he assassinates the man. In a very touching scene, you see the other suitor, Chaney, standing in the rain all night long as the couple spend their wedding night. You have to see it--it was very well done.
Now up until this point, I really, really liked the film. Sadly, however, when the couple awoke the next day, the plot started to fall apart and made little sense at times. First, Bowers suddenly has second-thoughts about committing the assassination--something never even hinted at before in the film. Worse, however, is Joy's sudden announcement that she cannot let Bowers kill the man (!?!?!) and that they should run off together as she now adores him!! Was Bowers THAT remarkable in bed or was this just a case of bad writing?! I think it was the latter, as remember, she was SO devoted to this holy cause that only the day before she refused to even date Bowers or Chaney!! Why the sudden switch? It made no sense at all and frustrated me to no end. Fortunately, at least the last portion of the film (reminiscent, in a way, of the sacrifice made in "A Tale of Two Cities") was very good and the film ended with a bang (in more ways than one).
The bottom line is that there were major portions of the film that were wonderful and smaller portions that completely undid the good in the rest of the film. In addition, while I am a huge Chaney fan, this is not one of his best performances, as occasionally he over-gestured and his character occasionally lacked sublety (though at other times, such as in the rain, he was wonderful). Worth seeing if you are a Chaney nut (like myself), otherwise try to see one of his better films such as "The Unknown" or "Phantom of the Opera".
The film begins with a group calling itself The Brotherhood having a secret meeting. Apparently, this self-appointed group decided that it's their job to destroy evil by killing evil people--presumably rich folks who abuse their power. I like this concept but often have found such films always take the stance that such an organization is evil (such as in "The Star Chamber") and it wasn't surprising that eventually this becomes apparent. But in the meantime, they are discussing a particular man that two of the group have been following and observing. John Bowers and Lon Chaney are these two agents and both adamantly feel the man must die--and both feel completely justified to do this. Oddly, you never really hear about what this intended victim has done to merit this.
It just so happens that both these men are in love with the lone female in this small group--Latrice Joy. However, she is so devoted to the cause that she rebuffs both their advances. But, out of the blue, when Bowers is chosen to kill the target, Joy agrees to marry him and spend one night together, as presumably Bowers will either die or be caught by police after he assassinates the man. In a very touching scene, you see the other suitor, Chaney, standing in the rain all night long as the couple spend their wedding night. You have to see it--it was very well done.
Now up until this point, I really, really liked the film. Sadly, however, when the couple awoke the next day, the plot started to fall apart and made little sense at times. First, Bowers suddenly has second-thoughts about committing the assassination--something never even hinted at before in the film. Worse, however, is Joy's sudden announcement that she cannot let Bowers kill the man (!?!?!) and that they should run off together as she now adores him!! Was Bowers THAT remarkable in bed or was this just a case of bad writing?! I think it was the latter, as remember, she was SO devoted to this holy cause that only the day before she refused to even date Bowers or Chaney!! Why the sudden switch? It made no sense at all and frustrated me to no end. Fortunately, at least the last portion of the film (reminiscent, in a way, of the sacrifice made in "A Tale of Two Cities") was very good and the film ended with a bang (in more ways than one).
The bottom line is that there were major portions of the film that were wonderful and smaller portions that completely undid the good in the rest of the film. In addition, while I am a huge Chaney fan, this is not one of his best performances, as occasionally he over-gestured and his character occasionally lacked sublety (though at other times, such as in the rain, he was wonderful). Worth seeing if you are a Chaney nut (like myself), otherwise try to see one of his better films such as "The Unknown" or "Phantom of the Opera".