The Passion Play

Kleine summary: The great importance of this subject calls for a few words of explanation, more particularly for the benefit of those who desire to know the facts connected with the reproduction of the Passion Play in Motion Pictures. There is no moving picture film extant which is an actual motion photograph of the Passion Play, given every tenth year at Ober-Ammergau. The authorities have refused to give the necessary permission for the making of the negative. A Passion Play is given every year at Horitz, in Bohemia, which is constructed along the lines of that at Ober-Ammergau, but is less noted, and misses something of the dignity of the other. Some six or seven years ago the authorities at Horitz gave permission to a motion picture photographer to make a negative of the play. Special performances were given for the purpose, as the conditions surrounding the ordinary play were not satisfactory for the purpose. The moving pictures made from this negative were photographically excellent, but the action was somewhat too fast, and lacked dignity. The negative was controlled for a time by Messrs. Klaw & Erlanger, of New York, and afterward found its way to London. When the writer last heard of it, about two years ago, the original Horitz Passion Play negative was in the hands of the film maker, Warwick. No recent prints have been on the market, and it is improbable that the negative is in condition to allow of the making of good prints, both on account of its age and the necessary wear and tear to which it has been subjected. Films can be furnished from a good duplicate negative now in this country. The men in charge of the Passion Play at Horitz were approached two years ago for permission to make another set of negatives, but their exactions were prohibitive. The preliminary charges, including pay for peasant actors, expenses of camera men, and other incidentals, called for an expenditure of $25,000.00 before a single print could be offered for sale. At about the same time the Horitz negative was made, possibly somewhat later, the Edison Mfg. Co. posed and photographed the Passion Play. This was made in the United States, none of the Ober-Ammergau or Horitz actors took part in it, and the Play necessarily lacked many of the distinctive features of the original. The films were in demand, however, and sold for several years at $400.00 for the complete set, or 25 cents per foot for single subjects. The action was fairly natural, although critics found many inaccuracies. This set is still upon the market, and is sold at 12 cents per foot; blemishes have crept in, owing to its age and much handling. Some years ago Mr. Lubin, of Philadelphia, offered for sale a set of Passion Play films which were fairly good photographically, but the action was stilted and unnatural, an unforgivable fault in this subject. The most recent set of Passion Play films was made by Pathé, of Paris. This shows the usual photographic perfection of this house, and none of the faults of its predecessors are repeated. The action is perfect; the most reverent believer can find no fault with the progress of the Divine Tragedy; its investiture, the handling of the people, the Disciples, the soldiers, are without a flaw. We therefore recommend the Pathé Passion Play as the most meritorious that can be offered to the exhibitor. Individual subjects may be purchased, or the complete set joined in three sections. A set of 1,410 feet is frequently sold as fairly representative of the whole. 1. THE ANNUNCIATION. The Angel of the Lord appears to Mary, announcing the birth of a child, which shall be called the "Son of God." 2. THE STRANGE STAR. Led by the light of the strange new star, the three wise men of the East journey to Bethlehem in search of the holy child, whose birth has been foretold to them. They are followed by a large retinue of servants and a train of camels, donkeys, sheep, etc., forming in all an impressive caravan. 3. THE ADORATION OF THE WISE MEN. The wise men and the shepherds enter the lowly stable and kneel at the feet of Mary, who holds in her arms the new-born babe. Joseph stands near and watches the touching scene. 4. FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. Through the lonely Egyptian desert Mary and Joseph flee to a place of safety to preserve the life of the infant Jesus. Arriving at the famous Sphinx, Mary finds shelter for the night, while Joseph collects wood for the fire. 5. JESUS AND THE DOCTORS. The doctors and sages are engaged in a learned discussion, when Jesus appears. They listen astounded at His words of wisdom. Mary and Joseph, who have been seeking their son, arrive and lead the child away. 6. THE HOLY FAMILY. The holy family works at their daily occupations--Mary at the spinning wheel, Joseph and Jesus at the carpenter's bench. Joseph is teaching the boy his trade. 7. AT THE WEDDING FEAST. The guests are seated at the table, enjoying the festival, when it is discovered that there is no more wine. Jesus commands the servants to bring jars of water, and performs His first miracle by turning the water into wine, after which all present do him homage. 8. JESUS AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA. A group of women is gathered around the well, filling their jars with water. The last arrival is a woman of Samaria, notorious for her wicked character. Christ appears to her and grants her forgiveness for her sins. 9. CHRIST'S MIRACLE WITH THE BREAD. A multitude of people is gathered around Christ to hear him preach. At midday He takes five loaves of bread and two fishes and feeds the assembly. 10. ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM. The people throng to the city gates and await the entry of their Saviour. When He appears riding on an ass, they greet Him with loud Hosannas and wave palm branches. 11. JESUS DRIVING THE SELLERS FROM THE TEMPLE. The merchants are assembled in the temple selling their wares, when Jesus enters and, overturning the tables of the money-lenders, drives them before Him. He shows them the error of their ways, and they are penitent. 12. THE LORD'S SUPPER. Seated at a long table, we see Christ and the twelve apostles, partaking of the Lord's supper. Blessing the wine, he gives it to them, and breaking a piece of bread, He presents it to Judas, saying that this man shall betray Him. 13. JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF OLIVES. Jesus is in the Garden of Olives, praying for strength to do the Father's will. He is almost overcome by the thought of the terrible suffering which He must endure, when an angel appears and He is comforted. 14. JUDAS KISSING JESUS. The disciples who have been told to keep watch are asleep on the ground, while Jesus prays. Christ awakens them with mild reproach for their negligence just as Judas arrives. The traitor kisses Jesus, at which signal the centurions arrest Him and His followers. 15. JESUS BEFORE PILATE. Christ and Barabbas, a thief, are brought before Pilate, who, after examining them, pronounces Christ innocent. But the people cry out: "Crucify Him and release unto us Barabbas!" 16. SCOURGING JESUS. Christ's raiment is torn from Him and He is bound to a stake; the multitude is allowed to scourge and mock Him, even spitting in His face. 17. CROWNING HIM WITH THORNS. A crown of thorns is then pressed down upon his forehead; they drape Him in a royal purple robe, a palm is placed in His hand for a scepter, and they hail Him king with mocking shouts. 18. PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE. Jesus being brought before him again, Pontius Pilate washes his hands to show that he has no part in this just man's death and delivers Him to the mob. 19. JESUS SINKING UNDER THE CROSS. Jesus is forced to bear the heavy cross along the toilsome path to Calvary. His feeble strength fails Him and He sinks under the weight. Here they meet Simon, a Cyrenian, who helps Him to carry the cross. The brutal soldiers hurry them on with blows and kicks. 20. MIRACLE OF ST. VERONICA. St. Veronica wipes the sweat from His brow with a white cloth, upon which a likeness of His face appears on its surface. 21. CRUCIFIXION. Christ is stripped of His clothing, and nailed to the cross, which is to be erected on the hillside, between two crucified thieves. 22. DEATH OF CHRIST. Jesus pardons one of the thieves who repents of his sins; He asks for water and is given gall on a sponge. A soldier then steps forward and thrusts his lance into the side of Jesus, from which wound flows water and blood. 23. TAKING CHRIST DOWN FROM THE CROSS. The friends of Jesus, who had obtained permission, then take His body from the cross and, wrapping it in a white cloth, carry it away for burial. 24. PLACING HIM IN THE TOMB. Mary and the Disciples place His body in the Tomb. A heavy stone is rolled before the door and sentinels group themselves around. 25. RESURRECTION. Suddenly the angel appears and rolls away the heavy stone, and Jesus comes forth before the eyes of the terrified centurions. 26. ANGEL AND THE HOLY WOMEN. Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene visits Her Lord's tomb and is astonished to find it empty. The angels explain and the women depart rejoicing. 27. THE END. Christ ascends to heaven and is received by the Father and all the multitudes of the heavenly host.