Film vs Film
Select two cult films to compare side by side.
The Unbroken Promise Synopsis
Nell Loring, a Texas sheep rancher's daughter, stops a fight between her father and his neighbor John Corliss, a cattleman, who have feuded for years. Although John loves Nell, he keeps it secret when she promises to marry his errant brother Billy if he stops drinking. After John rescues Nell from a runaway horse, though, she confesses that she really loves him. Worried about the feud, Nell makes John promise never to kill anyone. After Billy is wounded in a barroom brawl, John refuses him money until he reforms. Angered, Billy plots with Fadeaway, a cowboy John dismissed, to rob John's safe. John remembers his promise during his subsequent fight with Fadeaway and only punches him soundly. After Fadeaway is killed by the sister of a woman he betrayed, John, believing that Nell killed him, plants evidence to convict himself. Although Billy, now reformed, tries to take the blame, the murderer's written confession frees John to marry Nell.
The Witch Synopsis
Dr. Fernandez is believed by Mendoza, the military governor of Mexico, to possess hypnotic powers. Mendoza is in love with Dr. Fernandez's daughter Zora. When Zora displays no love for him, Mendoza assumes that the father is responsible for the failure of his suit. So great becomes the hatred between the two that when a faction of insurrectionists arises, the doctor places himself at its head and leads it against the Government. Dr. Fernandez is killed in battle. Meanwhile, the Governor's daughter Dolores suffers from somnambulism. While she is anxious to be cure, she dislikes to inform her father or her lover that she is so afflicted. Finally her old nurse makes the fact known to Zora, who possesses the hypnotic power that was her father's. Dolores submits to treatment at Zora's hands and is cured, Zora unaware that Dolores is engaged to Riques--Zora's sweetheart. When she does learn that the wedding day is set, she goes into a rage and contrives to get into the palace by night and hypnotizes Dolores. Shortly thereafter, Zora is denounced as a witch and carried away by an angry mob to be burned at the stake. Just before the torch is applied, the old nurse makes known to the Governor that his daughter has the habit of sleepwalking and is in a trance from which she cannot be roused. She also informs him that only person who can cure Dolores is Zora. At the last instant, the Governor stays the burning of Zora and promises her freedom if she will bring Dolores from her lethargic state. Zora, believing that the Governor is acting in good faith, goes to the palace and awakens Dolores. When she is found to be safe, the Governor goes back on his word and commits Zora to prison. She escapes, however, and Riques, who realizes that he loves Zora more than Dolores, runs away with her. The two are captured after a fight, and in the end Zora is put to death.
"The Unbroken Promise" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Witch" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Unbroken Promise