Back to God’s Country
(Canadian Photoplays Ltd., Canada, 1919)
dir.: David M. Hartford; script: Nell Shipman based on a short story Wapi, the Walrus by James Oliver Curwood; photog.: Dal Clawson, Joseph B. Walker
cast: Nell Shipman (Dolores LeBeau), Charles Arling („Sealskin” Blake), Wheeler Oakman (Peter Burke), Wellington A. Playter (Rydal), Roy Laidlaw (Pastor LeBeau)
DCP, 74’; tinted, bw, toning; intertitles: EN, subtitles: PL; restored 2008; source: Library and Archives Canada
Canada in the early 20th century, where Dolores and her father, Pastor LeBeau, live in the middle of a forest, far away from civilization, in harmony with nature and with only wild animals for friends. When Peter Burke – a naturalist and writer – appears in this wilderness, the girl falls in love with him, and her feelings are reciprocated. However, their happiness will be disrupted by another stranger – cruel Rydal, whom Dolores will have to confront to save her beloved, aided by her dog Wapi.
Set in authentic outdoor locations, and breaking traditional patterns, this adventure story features an original heroine and stunning nature in the main roles. It is the oldest surviving Canadian film, the greatest success of that country’s silent cinema output and the peak achievement in the career of Nell Shipman – actress, screenwriter, pioneer of cinema and the first Canadian female director.
The adaptation of J.O. Curwood’s short story was an auteur work of the director, from the script (and the introduction of an active heroine), through casting to co-directing, producing and playing the main role, although the opening credits do not mention all of her functions. She performed the stunt scenes herself, even appearing in the first nude scene in a Canadian movie (bathing under a waterfall), which was also used in the promotion of the film. Back to God’s Country reinforced Shipman’s screen image which she had built up in earlier pictures, such as Baree, Son of Kazan (1918) by David Smith, as a “girl from God’s country” – a brave, independent woman in symbiosis with nature and, what is important, consistent with the actress’s life attitude of an ecologist and an animal rights activist, which was always present in her work. The success of Back to God’s Country (although she did not feel it financially) strengthened Shipman’s position in the industry, allowing her to remain an independent producer until the large film studios began to monopolise the film industry in the 1920s. (KW)
The digitisation of the film was carried out in 2008 by the National Film Television and Sound Archives (Canada) from a photochemically restored 35 mm print made from two separate 35 mm prints, one held by the American Film Institute and the other from the private collection of J.D. Cunningham from the UK.
introduction to the movie: Iga Harasimowicz
section: FOUR SIDES OF THE WORLD
music by: Michał Załęski & Kinga Kłoczko
SATURDAY | OCTOBER 23
19:00 | screening room: MAŁA CZARNA
