The Breath of the Gods
The Breath of the Gods is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Rollin S. Sturgeon and starring Tsuru Aoki. Set during the Russo-Japanese War, the film is based on the 1905 novel of the same name by Sidney McCall.[1][2]
| The Breath of the Gods | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Rollin S. Sturgeon |
| Produced by | Corley Z. Ito |
| Written by | Charles J. Wilson (scenario) |
| Based on | The Breath of the Gods by Sidney McCall |
| Starring | Tsuru Aoki Stanhope Wheatcroft Arthur Carewe Pat O'Malley |
| Cinematography | Alfred Gosden |
Production company | Universal Film Manufacturing Company |
| Distributed by | Universal Jewel Super-Production |
Release date |
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Running time | 60 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
No prints of The Breath of the Gods are known to exist, and it is now presumed to be a lost film.[3]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[4] the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 threatens the peace of Japan, so Yuki Onda (Aoki) is directed home from her American school by her father (Seki). With her sails a party of American diplomatic friends that includes Pierre Le Beau (Wheatcroft), to whom Yuki has pledged her love. Her father's faith in her inherited honor obliges her to marry Prince Hagane (Carewe), and in the opportunity to be of service to her country comes an opposing loyalty to him and love for Le Beau. Le Beau is an attache of the embassy of Australia in Japan, and he is made an unwilling instrument in an attempt to secure valuable information from her. Yuki, believing that she has failed in her trust, takes her own life, leaving a sorrowing Prince and the penitent and loving Le Beau.
Cast
- Tsuru Aoki as Yuki Onda
- Stanhope Wheatcroft as Pierre Le Beau
- Arthur Carewe as Prince Hagane
- Pat O'Malley as T. Caraway Dodge
- J. Barney Sherry as Senator Todd
- Marian Skinner as Mrs. Todd
- Ethel Shannon as Gwendolyn
- Misao Seki as Yuki's Father
- Mai Wells as Yuki's Mother
- Paul Weigel as Count Ronsard
References
- Progressive Silent Film List: Breath of the Gods at silentera.com
- The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Breath of the Gods
- The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: The Breath of the Gods
- "Reviews: The Breath of the Gods". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 11 (8): 89. August 21, 1920.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Breath of the Gods. |
- The Breath of the Gods on IMDb
- The Breath of the Gods at AllMovie
- McCall, Sidney (1905), The Breath of the Gods, Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, on the Internet Archive