The Sealed Room (1909)

The Sealed Room Summary
"The Sealed Room" is a quiet brief film released in 1909, directed by David W. Griffith, and performed by Arthur V. Johnson, Marion Leonard, and Henry B. Walthall. The movie is likewise understood by the title "The Sealed Door" and was produced by Biograph Company. The motion picture is considerable for being one of the early efforts of D.W. Griffith, who would later become one of leader figures in the history of American movie theater.

The Narrative
The narrative of "The Sealed Room" is derived from "The Cask of Amontillado", an 1846 short story by Edgar Allan Poe, and Honore de Balzac's 1831 story, "La Grande Breteche", both of which are tales of betrayal and revenge.

The story revolves around an anonymous king, carried out by Arthur V. Johnson, who constructs a private, sealed room for him and his enthusiast without any exit or entrance. Marion Leonard plays the king's girlfriend. The king, vibrant and good-spirited, is head over heels in love with his mistress and builds the sealed room for their personal rendezvouses, keeping her far from anybody else.

The Betrayal and Revenge
Unbeknownst to the king, his mistress has a secret affair with the kingdom's minstrel, depicted by Henry B. Walthall. They discreetly satisfy, and their affair continues unbeknownst to the king. One day, the king, unaware of the ongoing affair behind his back, hosts an entertainment event where the minstrel is welcomed to perform.

In a twist of events, the king inadvertently discovers the surreptitious meetings between his mistress and the minstrel. Irritated by their betrayal, he chooses to enact vengeance upon them. Devised ingeniously to inflict utter misery and pain upon the disloyal set, his strategy is to trap them both in the sealed room.

The Climax and Conclusion
The climax of the movie unfolds when the couple is lured into the sealed room under incorrect pretenses. Once the enthusiasts are within, the king orders his servants to brick up the only exit, trapping the couple inside without any way out - to pass away a sluggish, agonizing death. The dreadful realization of their looming fate sends out the couple into a state of anguish and panic.

In the movie's final moments, the king listens with grim complete satisfaction to the couple's desperate screams and pleas. Hence, "The Sealed Room" ends on a significantly terrible note as the king avenges his heartbreak and betrayal with callous cruelty.

By merging horror with drama and disaster, D.W. Griffith created an enduring piece with "The Sealed Room". This early silent masterpiece is still commemorated for its distinct storytelling style, weaving themes of love, deceit, and vengeance flawlessly.

Griffith's use of various electronic camera angles and ranges, together with recurring close-ups on characters, includes a depth to this quiet film making it a notable piece in movie theater's history. The movie showcased the vibrant range and flexibility of Griffith as a director, establishing him as a significant figure in the early years of American movie theater.

Top Cast