User Reviews

Adequate illustration and interpretation of favorite poems or songs is a legitimate piece of motion picture enterprise which might be utilized more liberally with excellent results. There are numerous poems, well known to substantially every person who can read, that might be beautifully illustrated. The Essanay people have added another success to the short list in their "Maud Muller," just released. The poem is more pastoral than active, perhaps, and its power lies more in its subtleties and its suggestiveness than in any degree of force either described or represented. The capable company charged with the somewhat delicate task of reproducing this poem have accomplished their purpose with consummate skill. The acting interprets correctly Whittier's thought, which was directed more toward indicating what might occur in certain instances were circumstances different than in making any direct assertion with respect to some of these subtleties which form such conspicuous influences upon the human mind. All these complicated impressions are reproduced with a fidelity to the poem which adds materially to the attractiveness of the picture and seems to make the poet's thought move in the living characters who appear upon the canvas. The work has been well done, both technically and dramatically, and the picture is commended to all lovers of good films. - The Moving Picture World, November 6, 1909