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The Sacrifice
(1916) United States of America
B&W : Three reels
Directed by Frank Beal
Cast: Eugenie Besserer [Mrs. Warrington], Harry De Vere [Mr. Warrington], Guy Oliver [John Oliver], Harry Mestayer [Jerry Warrington], Anna Luther [Mercy Archer]
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by [?] V-L-S-E, Incorporated, or The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Produced by William N. Selig. Scenario by Gilson Willets. / Released 26 June 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Archer and Warrington answer their country’s call and go to war. Warrington leaves behind his wife and their little son, Jerry. After grim warfare, during which Mrs. Warrington hears nothing of her husband, John Archer is invalided home. He brings with him the sad information that Warrington has lost his life fighting against the enemy. Mrs. Warrington, thereafter, lives only for her little son, whom she resolves to keep with her always, and she endeavors to foster within him a horror for war. Jerry Warrington grows to manhood, and is in love with John Archer’s daughter, Mercy. Again after the years comes the news that invaders have reached the shores of our country. Mrs. Warrington uses every possible endeavor to keep the news from her son, but of course this proves impossible. However, Jerry knows of the horror his mother has for war, and when he resolves to enlist to fight for his country, he is loath to tell her of his determination. However, Mrs. Warrington soon learns the truth from Jerry’s lips and she is almost prostrated. Torn betwixt mother love and duty. Jerry Warrington answers his country’s call, and marches to battle. Later, Mercy Archer, his sweetheart, enrolls as a Red Cross nurse. While leading a desperate charge against the enemy, Jerry is shot. Dying, he is carried to a field hospital where he is ministered to by Mercy, and he breathes his last in her arms. Mercy Archer comes home, and again with her father, they call upon Mrs. Warrington. Once more the messenger of death enters Mrs. Warrington’s home. She is told that her son has been killed. There is a lesson that warfare is not all on the battlefield, but that mothers, wives and sweethearts, left behind, must also suffer.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 9 August 2023.
References: Lahue-Selig p. 216 : Website-IMDb.
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