"The Battle" (1911) - hidden gem
Robert Harron
Directed by D.W. Griffith
Produced by Biograph Company
Cinematography Billy Bitzer
Starring Charles West, Blanche Sweet, Robert Harron
Distributed by Biograph Company
Release date November 6, 1911
Running time 11 min.
Country United States
Language Silent, English intertitles
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.
"The Battle" is a short Civil War drama directed by D. W. Griffith. This film illustrates the work of our stars Billy Bitzer and Robert Harron.
Scared for his life during the first fight, a young soldier (Charles West) hides in the home of his girlfriend. Later he successfully battles his fears and rejoins the troops. He is then chosen for an important mission - to bring much needed ammunition to the front lines.
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:
The Battle
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Union soldiers march for the front in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Scared for his life during the first fight, Charles West hides in the home of his girlfriend Blanche Sweet in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Charles-West-in-The-Battle-1911-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-03.jpg
Charles West battles his fears and later rejoins the troops in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Charles West is sent to bring much needed ammunition in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Charles West reaches his destination in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Charles West heads back with a caravan of supplies in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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The supplies will arrive just in time if they are not stopped by the enemy in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Robert Harron gets orders during heavy fighting in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Robert Harron is hit by a bullet in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
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Charles West shouts orders as Robert Harron lies motionless in "The Battle" (1911), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Robert Harron is shot during the battle
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Below is a short preview of the film.