Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
Lost Money Synopsis
Judith Atherstone goes to her father's South African diamond fields not knowing that he is nearly broke. Atherstone's wealthy neighbor, Ox Lanyon, entrusts his diamond fields to Atherstone while he attempts to rescue prospectors endangered by a Zulu uprising. Believing Ox to be dead, Atherstone, encouraged by his engineer Caton Cooper, who loves Judith, uses Ox's wealth to keep Judith in luxuries. When Ox returns demanding his fortune, Atherstone and Cooper fight him, and, although they are bested, they retain Ox's wealth. For revenge, Ox takes Judith to the desert, where, near death, she is given the small amount of water he finds. After they are saved, Judith realizes his sacrifice and falls in love. When Cooper finds them, Judith saves Ox by saying they are married. She returns to her sick father's house where Cooper dies a coward when they are attacked by Kaffirs. After soldiers brought by Ox quell the revolt, Ox forgives Atherstone and marries Judith.
The Firebrand Synopsis
At the time of the Russian Revolution, Princess Natalya falls in love with Julian Ross, an American of Russian descent who has been imprisoned for writing revolutionary tracts. She arranges his release, telling him that she is a governess in the home of Prince Andrei Rostoff, who is actually her uncle. Natalya's brother is killed in battle because of the treachery of Rostoff and his son Boris, allies of the German Kaiser, who provided the Russian army with faulty ammunition. For this, Julian assassinates the Rostoffs, and Natalya shoots the American in revenge. Julian, only slightly wounded, produces a document proving the Rostoffs' connections with the Kaiser, whereupon Natalya forgives him and agrees to be his wife.
"Lost Money" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Firebrand" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
Lost Money