The Pride of the Clan (1917)

General Information
Released in 1917, "The Pride of the Clan" is a black-and-white quiet drama movie that was directed by Maurice Tourneur. The film is based upon a movie script by Charles E. Whittaker and the featured actors include Mary Pickford, Warren Cook, Kathryn Browne-Decker, Matt Moore, and Ed Roseman.

Plot Overview
"The Pride of the Clan" is set in early 19th Century Scotland on a remote island fishing community. The fishing town lives a practically feudal presence, deeply rooted in tradition and social order. The sea is the primary income and sustains the close-knit neighborhood. The lead character is Marget MacTavish (Mary Pickford), a lively young woman who suddenly becomes the "head of the home" and basically, the leader of the neighborhood, after her daddy drowns in the sea.

Marget's Journey and the Struggle of Leadership
Marget's father was both a reputable leader in the community and a competent fisherman. After his untimely death, his duties as the head of the clan and main bread-winner are thrust upon Marget. With towering responsibilities in a male-dominated community, Marget finds herself in a conflicted state attempting to honor custom while aiming to prove her benefit. With stability, strength, and decision, she succeeds in leading the clan, thus producing a source of motivation.

Dispute and Resolution
However, tensions rise as Marget falls in love with Jamie Campbell (Matt Moore), a youth pal turned lighthouse keeper who hails from a rival clan. While their relationship stirs debate, an incoming violent storm further heightens the situations. During the intense storm that threatens the town, Jamie's guts and fast thinking lead to the rescue of a ship and its crew, showing his worth to the doubtful villagers. The circumstances around the storm and the life-saving act cause the clan to reassess their rigorous conventional beliefs and worths about leadership.

Conclusion and Reception
In the end, Marget and Jamie's love story woven in with the themes of community reliance on tradition and the disobedience against it make "The Pride of the Clan" an engaging drama. The movie ends with the neighborhood accepting Jamie as a possible leader and with the possibility of unity amongst the formerly warring clans.

Critics applauded Maurice Tourneur's command over the movie's atmosphere and setting. Mary Pickford's portrayal of a strong-willed and resilient girl in a requiring social and manly function was lauded, protecting her position as one of the silent movie age's brightest stars. The movie's visual storytelling, emotive performances, and exploration of social standards make "The Pride of the Clan" an intriguing piece of early 20th-century movie theater.

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