Judith of Bethulia
Cast & Crew
D. W. Griffith
Blanche Sweet
Henry B. Walthall
Mae Marsh
Robert Harron
J. Jiquel Lanoe
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
The Judean fortress of Bethulia is attacked by the powerful army of Nebuchadnezzar, led by Holofernes. The walls withstand the assault, but many people are killed and Holofernes lays the fortress under siege. Judith, a beautiful and beloved widow, prays for guidance and has a vision that she must offer herself as a sacrifice to Holofernes in order to save Bethulia. She goes to the Assyrian camp dressed in her finest clothes and jewels and completely captivates Holofernes, who surrounds her in luxury. She gains his confidence by promising to betray Bethulia and arranges to spend an evening alone with him. Although she has fallen in love with Holofernes, Judith remembers her loyalty to the Judeans and decapitates the commander with his own sword after getting him drunk. She then goes back to Bethulia with his head. Holofernes' death stuns the Assyrian troops and they are overcome by the inspired Jews. A victory celebration then is held in Bethulia and Judith is hailed as the city's savior.
Director
D. W. Griffith
Cast
Blanche Sweet
Henry B. Walthall
Mae Marsh
Robert Harron
J. Jiquel Lanoe
Harry Carey
Lillian Gish
Dorothy Gish
Kate Bruce
Elmo Lincoln
Crew
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Judith of Bethulia was re-issued in 1917 at six reels under the title Her Condoned Sin with new subtitles and scenes not included in the 1914 version. At that time Biograph took out a second copyright for the new title. Contemporary sources noted that more than fifty prints were released in the U.S. and sixty-one prints were sent to other countries with titles translated into many languages.
The original production, made in 1913, cost a reported $36,000. Exteriors were shot in Chatsworth Park, CA and interiors were shot in the Biograph Studios in New York. Modern sources list James Smith as the film editor, William Christy Cabanne as assistant director and credit Frank Wood with titles. Additional cast members listed in modern sources include: W. Christie Miller, Gertrude Robinson, Eddie Dillon, Charles Hill Mailes, Frank Opperman, Adolph Lestina, Jennie Lee, William J. Butler, Alfred Paget, Harry Hyde, Clara T. Bracey, W. C. Robinson, Frank Evans, William Carroll, Gertrude Bambrick, and Kate Toncray. In some sources Grace A. Pierce is credited as the author of the poem "Judith of Holofernes," while in others she is given partial credit for the scenario, but her exact relation to the film or poem is unknown.
According to information in both contemporary and modern sources this was D. W. Griffith's last production for Biograph although The Battle of Elderbush Gulch, filmed earlier, was released later. Other films released by Biograph after this time that credit Griffith with supervision probably were not actually supervised by him.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States 1913
D W Griffith's first feature-length film, and his last for the Biograph Company.
reels 4
Released in United States 1913
