Product Description

Eliza a fair-skinned servant who flees the security of a kentucky plantation when her young son and her dignified protector uncle tom are sold to a rival landowner. In the course of her dickensian struggles she experiences a side of indentured servitude beyond her worst fears. Studio: Kino International Release Date: 11/23/1999 Starring: Margarita Fisher George Sigemann Run time: 112 minutes Rating: Nr

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64520 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-11-23
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, DVD, Silent, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 144 minutes

Amazon.com
Harry Pollard's epic 1927 version of Harriet Beecher Stowe's landmark novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was one of the most expensive silent films ever made. James B. Lowe, whose composure, dignity, and gentleness suggest a silent-era Danny Glover, stars as kindly Tom, the slave ripped from his family to pay his master's debt, but the film favors the more sensational melodrama of the married light-skinned couple Eliza and George and their son Harry (all played by white performers), split up and sold to the highest bidder. Pollard, a Southerner himself, maintains an uneasy balance between a sentimental portrayal of a happy Dixie with smiling slaves and a land where humans are bought and sold like cattle to wicked, money-grubbing masters. The exaggerated performances and stereotypes have not aged well and Pollard shows a weakness for broad Victorian melodrama, but the film boasts many moving moments and nail-biting sequences, highlighted by Eliza's harrowing escape across the ice floes as hounds literally nip at her heels. (A staple of the many touring stage productions of the play, D.W. Griffith borrowed the scene for the climax of Way Down East.) Uncle Tom's Cabin is more interesting as a product of its era than any serious attempt to explore the evils of slavery, but it's an exciting, handsomely mounted picture. Kino's restored edition features the original Movietone score by Erno Rapee, complete with sound effects and songs.

The DVD also features a detailed and informative essay by historian David Pierce, an extensive collection of stills, promotional materials, and music cue sheets, and details of cuts made to the film, including two deleted scenes that are among the best moments the film has to offer. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

Excellent visual supplement
I was hesitant to use this DVD with my classes because I knew they would resist watching a silent movie. As I introduced the movie to my students, they complained but a hush soon fell over the crowd as shortly after I pushed play.
Students were captivated by the music and sound effects and I was amazed at the quality of the acting I saw.
I believe that teachers can do more with this version of the movie than any other. This movie follows the book very well and chapter seven is especially gripping as Eliza crosses the Ohio River.
I highly reccommend this movie as a supplement to the novel. Students will be captivated by the emotion evoked through the heart-wrenching scenes and you will be amazed at the appreciation they have for early cinematography.

Not just for Americans and Historians!
I was a little hesitant to order this DVD at first, especially after reading some other reviews and comments about racial issues, but I decided to get it anyway. I'm an Australian living in Sydney so I don't know much about US History or the details of social and racial issues of the US, nor have I ever even heard of the book "Uncle Tom's Cabin" but none of these things prevented me from being deeply moved, impressed and inspired by this film. It has some very heart-wrenching scenes, great suspense, deep emotions and overall extremely good acting. It didn't bother me that some white actors played black roles or that some actors appeared older than their characters because I tend to follow the story and the emotions, ideals and feelings expressed in a film. Another feature that impressed me was the music that suited each scene perfectly, and I have to admit, I was moved to tears by the scene of Topsy crying over the death of Miss Eva while a choral version of Dvorak's New World Symphony Largo played - one of my favourite pieces, but never so deeply moving as in this scene! In my opinion, the musical score added a special touch and extra dimension.I would highly recommend this DVD for all non-Americans, or even to anyone who enjoys a very high quality silent movie because a knowledge of US history or other issues is definitely no prerequisite to enjoying this excellent film!

1800 Comes Alive!
Faith is only seen by the beholder. This is what this movie is about. It moved me to my very soul. It was very well directed and the actors were wonderfully picked to fit the characters. It really demonstrated the events in the novel, by the 18oo woman writer Harriet Beecher Stowe. Of course there were some parts taken out of the novel, and some that were added. I was very disturbed by how they took out or replaced scenes from the novel. The movie really brought out the true nature of slavery and how people treat other people, who are different then they are. It was just like the novel, except you were able to see the actual events happen, instead of just reading about them. This is a real work of art that can be loved by people for generations to come. This movie has fantastically displayed all of the emotions of the characters and the situations. It was a movie I would not mind watching over and over, again. I feel that this kind of movie is just the type we need in the world today. It gave a new meaning to the word hope and love. The movie is great for teens to adults. I think that children under the age of 12 will not understand the context of the film. It will not be suitable because of some of the scenes in the movie which contain violence and adult situations. I had a great time watching this movie. The plot was very easy to connect with, and to follow along with. Faith is only seen by the beholder. This is what this movie is about. I give this movie a five stars rating, for the grand display of acting, the perfect selection of casting, and the excellent work with the camera. I really give this two thumbs up.