THE RAVEN – Henry B. Walthall – d: Charles Brabin

Starring Henry B. Walthall, The Raven is an Essanay feature depicting the life of Edgar Allan Poe, starting with his childhood and going all the way to his marriage to his cousin (played by the little-known Warda Howard).

Charles Brabin's direction is uneven: At some points it's stagy and rudimentary; at other points, Brabin creates some remarkably striking and eerie visual effects, including a bravura scene for Walthall in which he descends further and further into madness following the death of his wife. Brabin visualizes this with a barrage of well-handled trick photography and double exposure. Walthall, for his part, gives a commanding performance.

Reviewed at Cinesation 2009

© James Bazen