The Little American (1917)

Overview
"The Little American" is a quiet war drama film released in 1917. Directed by Cecil B. DeMille and Joseph Levering, the film stars renowned actress Mary Pickford. As a piece of war propaganda, "The Little American" mainly targets American isolationists and pacifists. It was inspired by the desire to sway public opinion in favor of the United States joining World War I on the side of the Allies, a historical event that took place simply months prior to the film's release.

Plot
The film is based on a love triangle including an all-American girl called Angela Moore (Mary Pickford). Angela is courted by two suitors, both of whom she enjoys: one is the French Count Jules De Destin (Jack Holt), and the other is Karl Von Austreim, a German (Raymond Hatton). In spite of their pursuits, Angela never ever explicitly chooses between them and stays unattached.

When her rich American uncle dies, Angela inherits a large estate positioned in France. Subsequently, she boards a ship to France, the same ship on which her two suitors are likewise travelers. Sadly, their journey accompanies the break out of World War I, and their ship gets torpedoed by a German submarine.

Representation of World War I
Caught in her uncle's estate, Angela becomes a witness to the ruthless truths of warfare. German soldiers enter her acquired estate, utilizing it as their quarters. On the other hand, her German suitor, Karl, is conscripted into the German army and enters into the troop stationed in her mansion. Despite his feelings for Angela, Karl stops working to protect her from the atrocities suggested to be performed by his fellow soldiers.

The Climax
The climax of the movie features an extreme series where Angela fearlessly conserves herself from the Germans by covering herself with an American flag, highlighting the sovereignty and invincibility signified by the national emblem. The American military ultimately storms the town and saves Angela, indicating the accomplishment of American bravery and restating the film's propagandistic element.

Tradition and Impact
For audiences in 1917, "The Little American" painted a vibrant, albeit one-sided photo of the war. While it substantially contributed to sustaining anti-German belief, it likewise underscored the horrors dealt with by civilians stuck in conflict zones and emphasized the requirement for American intervention in European affairs. Angela's function even more marked the introduction of a brand-new kind of on-screen heroine, the brave female lead who stood versus injustice.

The film's ingenious cinematography and intense action sequences caused its considerable critical acclaim. The film was likewise praised for Pickford's engaging performance. Despite its old-fashioned propagandistic content, "The Little American" stays a crucial piece in the history of American movie theater.

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