"A Temporary Truce" (1912) - hidden gem
Robert Harron
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Cinematography by Billy Bitzer, Arthur Marvin
Starring Charles H. Mailes, Robert Harron, Charles Gorman, Claire McDowell, Blanche Sweet
Distributed by Biograph Company
Release date June 10, 1912
Country United States
Running time 16 m.
This film is part of our series 'Hidden Gems'. It can be watched by registered users who make a donation. For more details, please click here.
"A Temporary Truce" is a short Western and an Indian drama directed by D.W. Griffith, featuring our stars Billy Bitzer and Robert Harron.
A Mexican is thrown out of a bar by a young prospector and swears to get even. Later he kidnaps the prospector's wife. In the meantime a group of drunkards shoot and kill an old Indian man. His son (Robert Harron) vows revenge and asks the tribal chief for help. The chief, however, knows better and tells him that revenge is useless. Robert Harron disobeys and mobilizes all young warriors for battle.
The plot thickens. The prospector and the Mexican, who holds his wife captive, start shooting each other. However, when the Indians attack, these two make a temporary truce and join forces against the common enemy.
We trust that silent film lovers will not judge harshly the quality of the print. Many early D.W. Griffith films are only available in a paper print format, and we are all very lucky that they have survived the trials of time for us to enjoy.
Click to enlarge:
A Temporary Truce
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A Mexican is thrown out of a bar by a young prospector and swears revenge in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
W-Chrystie-Miller-and-Robert-Harron-in-A-Temporary-Truce-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-05.jpg
Robert Harron walks with his old father in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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A group of drunkards shoot the old Indian for fun in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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In his grief Robert Harron gets filled with determination in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Robert Harron vows revenge in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Blanche-Sweet-in-A-Temporary-Truce-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-11.jpg
The Mexican kidnaps Blanche Sweet, the prospector wife in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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The chief tells Robert Harron that revenge is useless in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert-Harron-in-A-Temporary-Truce-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-13.jpg
Robert Harron disobeys and mobilizes the young braves for battle in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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The prospector and the Mexican, who holds his wife captive, shoot at each other in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
A-Temporary-Truce-1912-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-15.jpg
The prospector and the Mexican join forces against the attacking Indians in "A Temporary Truce" (1912), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert Harron appeals for revenge
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