Must-Watch List in the Vein of Berlin Via America: Cult Guide

Dir: Francis Ford

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Francis Ford

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Great Reward perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

In the mythical kingdom of Lyria, two young Americans get mixed up in a plot to get rid of the rightful king, who at times loses his reason.

Dir: Francis Ford

Ralph Avery and Robert Young, who are partners in a munitions factory, are both in love with Molly Carson. When the government investigates their company for stealing secret wartime plans, Ralph hides the evidence in Robert's desk, which leads to his conviction for treason and a twenty-year prison sentence. While Robert is incarcerated, Ralph steals one of Robert's formulas and becomes wealthy. He also marries Molly, who gives birth to a daughter named Lucille. As a grown woman, Lucille learns what her father has done from her mother, whose dying wish is that Lucille make amends to Robert, who eventually is able to take the formula to Europe to aid in the war effort.

Dir: Francis Ford

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of In Treason's Grasp perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Lumberjack Gaston Olaf is newly arrived in the lumber camp of Havens Falls, but it isn't long before he finds himself coming to the rescue of the lovely Rose Havens, who is being pursued by the nasty Lefty Red. Impressed by Olaf's actions, lumber boss Dave Taggart hires Olaf to be foreman of his band of rogue lumbermen. Taggart, however, has his own plans for Rose, and not the same kind that Lefty had--he's after a valuable stand of wood on Rose's property and hatches a scheme that will allow him to not only get the wood but the land it stands on and Rose's safe in the bargain. while ensuring that both Rose and Olaf remain unaware of his plan.

Dir: Francis Ford

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Francis Ford

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Avenging Trail perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Frederick Fielding secretly marries his neighbor, Marguerite Quinn, and gives her his signet ring, even though her mother and father are enemies of his parents. The young groom then travels to the coral-rich island of Crimson Shoals, which is owned by his father, Thomas. Years later, Frederick, a prosperous owner of the island, grieves upon learning his wife has died, but is soon preoccupied with the theft of its coral reserves. Suspecting foreman Jack Quinn, Frederick and Thomas sail for the island. Helen, a member of Frederick's crew, falls in love with Jack and discovers that Rex Burke, the company auditor, is responsible for the theft. After a series of adventures and fights, Jack drops a charge of dynamite from an airplane, destroying the submarine Rex used to steal the coral. Frederick notices that Jack is wearing Marguerite's signet ring, and realizes that they are father and son, enabling Jack and Helen to continue their romance.

Dir: Francis Ford

An Indian scholar seeks an American colleague who is working on a powerful explosive, trying to get to his formula by taking advantage of his drinking problem.

Dir: Francis Ford

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Mystery Ship perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Clay Norton and Duke Fuller are partners in a mining venture and have several claims, none of which have proved particularly successfully but do have promise. They are both in love with Agnes, and Clay wins her hand. While he is away in a nearby town to buy a wedding ring, Jim Butts, who has the territory's best mine, dies and Duke jumps his claim and sells it for $10,000, and the widow Butts is left penniless. When Clay, on his return, finds out what Duke has done, he demands his partnership share of $5,000 and tells Duke that they should see the widow and give her the money to go East so she will cause them no trouble. They visit her together and Clay tells her he will give her $5,000 and forces Duke to do the same. Overcome with the shock of the good fortune, the widow faints, and Duke, furious at being tricked, rushes from the cabin and meets Agnes, who is on her way to meet Clay. He takes her to the door of the cabin where she sees the widow Butts in the arms of her sweetheart. Misunderstanding the situation and being told by Duke that Clay is unfaithful to her, she breaks off their engagement.

Dir: Francis Ford

Patsy, a chorus girl, falls in love with a doctor. A gangster turns his attentions to Patsy when his own girlfriend is burned in a fire, scarring her face, and manages to convince Patsy that the doctor is planning to abandon her, which is not true. Hurt, angry and disillusioned, Patsy retreats to the country, and when the doctor finds out the truth, he goes after her to win her back. Unfortunately, the gangster also goes after her, and he has his own plans for the doctor.

Dir: Francis Ford

During the Civil War, a young man joins the Union army. His sweetheart's brother, on the other hand, joins the Confederate forces. During a battle the Confederate is captured and brought to the young Union officer, who recognizes him, and later allows him to escape. For that action he is tried for treason, convicted and sentenced to hang. All that remains now is for President Abraham Lincoln to sign his death warrant.