We conclude our season of silent film horrors with this chilling WW1 drama, presented with multi-layered musical accompaniment by Stephen Horne on piano, flute, and accordion.

A gripping tale of vengeance inspired by the patriotic fervour in the months immediately following the Great War. Hobart Bosworth stars as Oscar Krug, a working-class American, who is persecuted for his German ancestry after war is declared. Eager to prove his loyalty to the Allies, Krug enlists and goes to sea. However, tragedy strikes when his wife sneaks aboard his ship and is captured by the enemy, following a U-boat attack. Wallace Beery co-stars as the villainous German submarine commander but it is Bosworth who will stay in your memory long after the film's shocking and brutal climax. You have been warned!

Dir. Irvin V. Willat | US | 1h 10m | b&w | English intertitles |N/C Recommended 12A
With: Hobart Bosworth, Jane Novak, James Gordon

Performing live: Stephen Horne (piano, flute, and accordion)

Stephen first started accompanying silent films at BFI Southbank over 30 years ago. He has recorded music for several DVD releases and regularly plays at major international festivals. Although principally a pianist, he often incorporates flute, accordion, and keyboards into his performances, sometimes simultaneously. Recently Stephen won ‘best screening with a single accompanist’ for the sixth year in a row at the Silent London Poll.
www.stephenhorne.co.uk

Image Credit: © 2022 The San Francisco Silent Film Festival