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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1919 Vision of George Fitzmaurice
Exploring the cult underpinnings of The Profiteers leads us to the uncompromising vision of George Fitzmaurice that defines this cult masterpiece. Melding the raw energy of United States with a global cult appeal, it echoes the profound changes occurring in United States during that era.
In The Profiteers, George Fitzmaurice pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
To fully appreciate The Profiteers, one must consider the cinematic climate of 1919. During this period, United States was undergoing significant artistic shifts, and George Fitzmaurice was at the forefront of this cult movement, often challenging established norms.
| Cinematography | Handheld |
| Soundtrack | Experimental |
| Editing | Elliptical |
| Art Direction | Expressionist |
Visualizing the convergence of George Fitzmaurice's style and the core cult narrative.
Patriotic young lawyer Richard Randall conducts a speaking tour denouncing food profiteers. When spies for Everett Dearing, the secret head of a large food combine, report on Randall's efforts, Dearing blackmails Tony Terle, a society idler who is acquainted with Richard's loving wife Beverly, into putting her in a compromising position so that Randall can be persuaded to discontinue his campaign. By notifying Beverly that Richard is ill, Terle lures her to a roadhouse where he is photographed embracing her. Dearing threatens to publish the photo and an accompanying lurid story unless Beverly convinces Randall to end his crusade. While Terle hides in Dearing's office, Beverly struggles with Dearing. When Dearing falls onto his desk, his paper spindle pierces his chest. After Randall takes the blame for Dearing's death, a doctor discovers that he was shot in the back. Terle flees and when he is caught, confesses shooting Dearing with a gun equipped with a silencer. Randall and Beverly are then reunited.
Decades after its release, The Profiteers remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying George Fitzmaurice's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.