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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1919 Vision of Henry King
The evocative power of This Hero Stuff stems from the unique collaboration between the subversive storytelling techniques employed by Henry King in 1919. Synthesizing the best elements of United States and international cinema, it reminds us of the fragility and beauty of the 1919s.
In This Hero Stuff, Henry King 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.
While deeply rooted in United States, This Hero Stuff has achieved a global reach, influencing directors from various backgrounds. Its ability to translate cult tropes into a universal cinematic language is why it remains a cult staple decades after its 1919 release.
| Cinematography | Handheld |
| Soundtrack | Synth-Heavy |
| Editing | Disjunctive |
| Art Direction | Baroque |
Visualizing the convergence of Henry King's style and the core cult narrative.
Captain November Jones, wearing a chestful of medals, arrives in his hometown of Goldcity, Nevada, disguised in a beard to avoid a war hero's welcome, but when he rescues a child from being run over by a train, his beard tears off and he is obliged to receive the town's congratulations. Meanwhile, unscrupulous stockbroker Samuel Barnes and adventuress Teddy Craig are trying to get control of the Bluebird Lode from New Yorker Jackson J. Joseph, who is coming West to meet his daughter Nedra. After Jones rescues Teddy from a runaway horse, she asks him to help fight Joseph, saying he's trying to take her mine, but because Jones is tired of the hero treatment, he refuses. Teddy's accusation of Jones's cowardice does not bother him until he falls in love with Nedra, who shuns him, believing Teddy's rumor. After a barroom brawl, Jones rescues the kidnapped Joseph. Nedra learns the truth about Jones, and agreeing with him that no man should be a hero to his own wife, she marries him.
Decades after its release, This Hero Stuff remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Henry King's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.