Amazon.com: True Heart Susie (silent): Lillian Gish, Robert Harron, Clarine Seymour, D.W. Griffith: Amazon Instant Video

True Heart Susie (silent)

4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
In 1918-1919, D. W. Griffith turned from spectacles such as The Birth of a Nation, Intolerance and Hearts of the World to smaller films, which he called his "short story series." Among these is True Heart Susie. "There are those of us who consider True Heart Susie to be Griffith's ... masterpiece," writes Tom Gunning in his notes for a 2006 screening at the Pordenone Silent Film Festival. He goes on to praise the "narrative structure and point of view, as well as the fine details of performance, framing, and even the use of intertitles that makes a seemingly modest film such as this appear nearly incandescent in its confessional and emotional power." In an almost mythical American arcadia, Lillian Gish portrays a pure, prim girl who so loves her childhood sweetheart (Griffith's most charming boyish hero, Robert Harron) that she sells the family cow to anonymously finance his higher education, only to lose him to a more "modern" woman (Clarine Seymour) when he comes home. Gish's performance is among her best, her face what Gunning calls a "battleground of emotions, staging complete and progressive dramas of realization, recognition and despair."
  • Starring: Lillian Gish, Robert Harron
  • Directed by: D.W. Griffith
  • Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes
  • Release year: 1919
  • Studio: Egami
 
  
 
 

Amazon Instant Video

7 day rental

1-Click® $2.99

Buy movie

1-Click® $9.99

Learn more about renting and buying

 
 
 
 
  
 
[Send us Feedback]
Have a promotion code? View Balance
New to Amazon Instant Video? Instantly watch thousands of movies and TV shows. Learn more. Watch on your computer or on your TV with one of our compatible devices.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Product Details
Synopsis: In 1918-1919, D. W. Griffith turned from spectacles such as The Birth of a Nation, Intolerance and Hearts of the World to smaller films, which he called his "short story series." Among these is True Heart Susie. "There are those of us who consider True Heart Susie to be Griffith's masterpiece," writes Tom Gunning in his notes for a 2006 screening at the Pordenone Silent Film Festival. He goes on to praise the "narrative structure and point of view, as well as the fine details of performance, framing, and even the use of intertitles that makes a seemingly modest film such as this appear nearly incandescent in its confessional and emotional power." In an almost mythical American arcadia, Lillian Gish portrays a pure, prim girl who so loves her childhood sweetheart (Griffith's most charming boyish hero, Robert Harron) that she sells the family cow to anonymously finance his higher education, only to lose him to a more "modern" woman (Clarine Seymour) when he comes home. Gish's performance is among her best, her face what Gunning calls a "battleground of emotions, staging complete and progressive dramas of realization, recognition and despair."
Starring: Lillian Gish, Robert Harron
Supporting actors: Clarine Seymour
Directed by: D.W. Griffith
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes
Release year: 1919
Studio: Egami
ASIN: B000VI1GG8 (Rental) and B000VI2UIG (Purchase)
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 7 day viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Compatible with: Mac and Windows PC online viewing, compatible instant streaming devices, TiVo DVRs. System requirements
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)
Also available on DVD

The Actors DVD ~ Lillian Gish

4.0 out of 5 stars (2) $16.99
Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: June 01, 1919
  • Production Company: D.W. Griffith Productions
  • Also Known As: The Story of a Plain Girl / True Heart Susie the Story of a Plain Girl
Video Format Details

Online Viewing

PC Download

TiVo box

Portable device
View instantly from any PC or Mac with a broadband connection
Ready to watch in about 35 minutes*
Ready to watch in about 40 minutes*
Ready to transfer in about 40 minutes*
* Your download times may vary--estimates shown are for a typical DSL connection (1.5 Mbits/sec). Rental videos cannot be transferred to a portable device.

Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed

 

Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
5 star:    (0)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars True Heart Susie, May 11, 2011
This review is from: True Heart Susie (silent) (Amazon Instant Video)
Although True Heart Susie is from the silent era of film and therefore, does not have audible dialogue, the movie shows off its characters in a way that their personalities can not be denied. One of my favorite ways in which this was accomplished was through the somewhat-sassy title cards that appeared through out the scenes. Not only were we able to see the character of Susie, but also of the other characters in the film. True Heart Susie's personality is not only shown through the creative wording in the title cards, but also through the actress Lillian Gish who plays Susie. She manages to convey Susie's thoughts and emotions through the use of facial expressions, eye movement, and body language. One of my favorite examples is the quirky, little kick that Susie has at the beginning of the movie. Although not necessary to the plot of the film in itself, it is the little actions like that which draw in the audience and keep us wanting to watch the film.
I really liked this film. Seeing Susie's quirky personality kept me interested in the film. Because she was such a sweet girl, I really wanted her to succeed and to end up with her true love. The quality that she had of being lovable made it difficult, at times, to watch her get hurt by people over and over. By the end of the movie I was wondering if she would ever catch a break. Though the circumstances were sad, I was glad to see Susie's true feelings be known by the end of the film. I liked this film a lot and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bit of a quirky story about a girl who can't seem to let the boy she loves know that she loves him.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A simple drama, April 28, 2011
This review is from: True Heart Susie (DVD)
True Heart Susie is D.W. Griffith's tale of unrequited love. Susie is a plain country girl who likes the local fool William. William doesn't want to be a farmer and believes that college will open up new opportunities for him. Susie decides to sell her cow and secretely finance William's education. He comes back as a priest, but marries a promiscuous woman from out of town, leaving Susie forlorn and heart broken. It ends on a much happier note then that, but since I've summarized most of the plot, I'll leave the ending a surprise. The most impressive thing of Griffith's early drama was how he successfully displays the complexity of human relationships and behavior without any of the modern benefits and in an incredibly realistic sense. A rich man comes to town and promises to William he will finance the boy's education, but the check never comes. Susie does not make any dramatic attempts to woo William back to her after she finds out he's marrying a woman with less then ideal character (by the standards of their town). She instead simply accepts it and her life goes on. The quality of the acting, especially Lillian Gish's facial expressions, is very impressive for the time. Definitely get this if you want to enjoy a quality film from the medium's early years.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews


Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
 
(3)
(3)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   

By placing your order, you agree to our Terms of Use.  Sold by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.  Additional taxes may apply.
Amazon Video On Demand Privacy Statement Amazon Video On Demand Shipping Information Amazon Video On Demand Returns & Exchanges