The Great Love (1918 film)

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The Great Love (1918) — a short, easy-to-understand summary

The Great Love is a 1918 American silent war drama directed by D. W. Griffith. It stars George Fawcett and Lillian Gish and is set during World War I. The film was shot on location in England and is now considered lost.

Plot
Jimmie Young, a young American from Youngstown, Pennsylvania, joins the British army before the United States enters the war. On leave near London, he falls in love with Susie Broadplains, a young Australian woman played by Lillian Gish. Susie inherits £20,000 after a relative dies, drawing the interest of Sir Roger Brighton, who pursues wealthy women. Jimmie is sent to the front, and Sir Roger proposes to Susie, who accepts. German agents plan to bomb a British arsenal, and Sir Roger agrees to help by driving a car with its headlights aimed at the sky to guide Zeppelins. When Jimmie returns on furlough, he recognizes Sir Roger and follows him to a cottage, where he confronts him. Sir Roger, preferring to avoid capture, shoots himself. Susie learns of Sir Roger’s betrayal, and she and Jimmie are reunited.

Production notes
- The film features on-location shooting in England.
- It includes footage of real British figures such as Queen Alexandra and Sir Frederick Treves.
- Zeppelin raid footage in the film was shot by G. W. Bitzer.
- Jimmie Young is played by Robert Harron; Susie Broadplains is played by Lillian Gish; Sir Roger Brighton is played by Henry B. Walthall.

Cast (selected)
- George Fawcett
- Lillian Gish
- Robert Harron as Jimmie Young
- Henry B. Walthall as Sir Roger Brighton

Facts
- The Great Love runs about 70 minutes and is a silent film with English intertitles.
- It was released on August 11, 1918.
- The film is currently considered lost.
- Like many films of its era, it faced censorship; some scenes were cut in cities such as Chicago.