THE LITTLE AMERICAN

Cinemavixion Review

Cecil B. DeMille's "The Little American" from 1917 is a poignant melodrama set against the backdrop of World War I, starring the iconic Mary Pickford. The film charts the journey of Angela, a young American whose voyage to her ancestral home in France is fraught with peril, culminating in her witnessing the horrors of German invasion. The narrative intricately weaves a love triangle involving Angela, the German-American Karl (Jack Holt), and the French-American Jules (Raymond Hatton). As war erupts, allegiances are tested, and Angela finds herself caught between loyalties and dangers, even facing a near-assault and subsequent arrest. The film, despite its dramatic intensity and exploration of wartime brutality, ultimately offers a narrative of resilience and rescue, with both Karl and Jules playing pivotal roles in Angela's survival. While the external data lists Joseph Levering as a co-director, DeMille's directorial hand is evident in the film's epic scope and emotional resonance, characteristic of his early work. "The Little American" stands as a testament to the power of storytelling during a time of global conflict, offering audiences a glimpse into the personal stakes of war through a compelling, albeit melodramatic, lens.