An early example of the type of cross-cutting Griffith would later use to much better effect in order to build tension. This one sees a cop sprinting to a wedding at which the altar has been booby-trapped so that it will shoot the groom when the couple kneel to take their vows. The trap is quite ingenious (if unlikely), and the cross-cutting must have been quite breath-taking for audiences of the time - although Lord knows why the cop didn't just phone ahead.
7 Reviews
Only Fair, But Could Easily Have Been Better
Snow Leopard22 November 2004
This short drama is of only fair quality, but it could easily have been better. As is the case with many pre-1910 dramas, the characters really have no depth, and are often indistinct, which lessens the impact of even the most dramatic plot developments. The story-telling likewise is mostly satisfactory, but it leaves some details a bit obscure.
The story is similar to a few other Griffith features from the same period in his career, in which he seemed to take an unusual interest in villainous characters who plotted unnecessarily elaborate, and often implausible, means of exacting revenge on their real or imagined enemies. In this case, it is a rejected suitor who concocts the cruel plan.
The story does produce some real tension and suspense, but it takes altogether too long in setting things up, and then it does not capitalize on the really dramatic moments, which could have been played to better effect. Not much later in his career, of course, Griffith would be much better able to take advantage of such scenes for all they were worth. Some of his similar early features, like "An Awful Moment" or "The Cord of Life" are a little better, though with the same plausibility problems.
The story is similar to a few other Griffith features from the same period in his career, in which he seemed to take an unusual interest in villainous characters who plotted unnecessarily elaborate, and often implausible, means of exacting revenge on their real or imagined enemies. In this case, it is a rejected suitor who concocts the cruel plan.
The story does produce some real tension and suspense, but it takes altogether too long in setting things up, and then it does not capitalize on the really dramatic moments, which could have been played to better effect. Not much later in his career, of course, Griffith would be much better able to take advantage of such scenes for all they were worth. Some of his similar early features, like "An Awful Moment" or "The Cord of Life" are a little better, though with the same plausibility problems.
A Wedding Blast
wes-connors5 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Marion Leonard and Charles Inslee are a courting' couple; but not everyone is happy with their announced wedding plans -- Herbert Yost had been hoping against hope for Ms. Leonard to changer her mind, and marry him; instead, she rejects his advances. Unable to face a life without Leonard, Mr. Yost hatches a vengeful plot: at the wedding site, he rigs a gun to blast the happy couple "At the Altar". Before the blessed event, Mr. Yost composes a confession, and washes down alcohol with poison. Leonard's friend Dorothy West finds the note, but can Yost's hidden gun be discovered in time? Director D.W. Griffith and company in a real scenery chewer!
*** At the Altar (2/25/09) D.W. Griffith ~ Herbert Yost, Marion Lenard, Charles Inslee
*** At the Altar (2/25/09) D.W. Griffith ~ Herbert Yost, Marion Lenard, Charles Inslee
In this case, I recommend you read the summary before watching the film.
planktonrules27 November 2021
I would hardly ever recommend a person read a film's summary before watching it, but "At the Altar" is an exception. This is because in many early films, there were no intertitle cards to explain exactly what is happening...and at times it's really hard to tell. I've noticed this problem with a few of D. W. Griffith's films and it really would help here...especially since a LOT goes on in only about 13 minutes!
Minnie is the landlady's daughter and the evil Grigo wants to marry her. But her heart is Giuseppe's and the pair plan on marrying. So, Grigo plans on killing them on their wedding day...right there in the church! He boobytraps the altar with a gun and his plan is that it will go off and shoot them! But Grigo is a stupid evil man and he leaves a note explaining his plot...and then he kills himself!! Finding the note, there's a mad dash to get to the church on time to stop the service and save the young couple!
13 minutes was a very long film for 1909, though had it been made just a few years later, it might have been stretched out a bit and intertitles would definitely been added...making for a much better film. But for 1909, it's STILL an excellent film and features much more subtle acting than in many Griffith films of the era. For fans of very early silents, this one is worth your time and the score of 7 is relative to other films of the era.
Minnie is the landlady's daughter and the evil Grigo wants to marry her. But her heart is Giuseppe's and the pair plan on marrying. So, Grigo plans on killing them on their wedding day...right there in the church! He boobytraps the altar with a gun and his plan is that it will go off and shoot them! But Grigo is a stupid evil man and he leaves a note explaining his plot...and then he kills himself!! Finding the note, there's a mad dash to get to the church on time to stop the service and save the young couple!
13 minutes was a very long film for 1909, though had it been made just a few years later, it might have been stretched out a bit and intertitles would definitely been added...making for a much better film. But for 1909, it's STILL an excellent film and features much more subtle acting than in many Griffith films of the era. For fans of very early silents, this one is worth your time and the score of 7 is relative to other films of the era.
A Godlike Objectivity
Single-Black-Male12 February 2004
The 34 year old D.W. Griffith used his camera in this short film to impose itself on the characters with a godlike objectivity that is happy to observe but not intervene. This allowed the audience to participate in the story to make it an interesting yarn.
Fair
Michael_Elliott29 February 2008
At the Altar (1909)
** (out of 4)
A man gets rejected by a woman and he plans revenge. He learns of her wedding day and sets up a device to go off at the alter, killing her. He then takes his own life but in his suicide note he tells of his plan. A cop rushes off to try and save the day. This is a pretty bland short from Griffith, although he does manage to get a little suspense through his editing at the end.
You can find this short on Grapevine's D.W. Griffith: The Director series.
** (out of 4)
A man gets rejected by a woman and he plans revenge. He learns of her wedding day and sets up a device to go off at the alter, killing her. He then takes his own life but in his suicide note he tells of his plan. A cop rushes off to try and save the day. This is a pretty bland short from Griffith, although he does manage to get a little suspense through his editing at the end.
You can find this short on Grapevine's D.W. Griffith: The Director series.
The audience have their interest aroused
deickemeyer3 July 2014
Warning: Spoilers
A strong story of love and jealousy told by the Biograph people. The scene is laid in a boarding house where apparently a Sicilian had been encouraged in his attentions by one of the ladies until a musician appears on the scene. An engagement and preparations for a wedding follow. The jealous lover is sent away and goes to his room vowing vengeance. He makes an infernal machine which he conceals under the platform in such a way that when the priest steps upon a certain spot a revolver will be discharged in such a way that the bride will be killed. He goes back to his room, writes what he has done, drinks poison and falls dead. The paper is discovered and a policeman starts for the church. Alternate scenes are shown, the wedding party at the church, then the policeman running, falling and laming himself and finally going down perfectly unable to go any farther. A boy takes the message from his hands and rushes on. Meanwhile the wedding party has got to the point where the fatal step will be the next, when the boy rushes in and the bride is saved. The audience have their interest aroused to the highest pitch as these alternate pictures are shown, and there is a noticeable relaxing of nerves when the pistol is discharged and the bride is unhurt. The weakest scene is the last, where the wedding is consummated with very little apparent perturbation after such a narrow escape from death. There is no question about the intense interest this film excites, but there is no applause. - The Moving Picture World, March 6, 1909
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