Summary
A compelling narrative of familial estrangement and eventual reconciliation, "True Blue" unfurls with the sudden elevation of Gilbert Brockhurst, an Englishman comfortably ensconced in American domesticity, into the aristocratic echelons of an English earldom. This seismic shift in fortune, precipitated by a cousin's demise, compels Brockhurst to abandon his American wife and their young son, Robert, for the stately allure of Somerfield. The desertion proves fatal for his wife, who succumbs on her Arizona ranch, leaving young Robert to forge his own path. Years later, Brockhurst, having remarried and sired another son, Stanley—a profligate heir apparent—embarks on a diplomatic sojourn to America. He leverages this transatlantic journey as a final ultimatum for Stanley’s reformation, threatening to disinherit him stateside. Unbeknownst to the Earl, his forsaken elder son, now known as Robert McKeever, has not only embraced the rugged identity of the West but has also diligently cultivated the very ranch his mother bequeathed him. A twist of fate, or perhaps destiny's subtle hand, guides McKeever to Stanley's dissolute world in a gambling den, leading him to settle his half-brother's debts and offer him refuge on the ranch. This unexpected fraternal reunion, however, soon curdles into a quiet rivalry for the affections of Ruth, the local schoolteacher, a woman whose integrity and warmth captivate both men. McKeever, grappling with his burgeoning feelings and the perceived threat from his half-brother, makes a grand, albeit misguided, gesture of relinquishment, only to discover Ruth's true heart lies unequivocally with him. The narrative culminates in a poignant reversal of expectations: Brockhurst, now recognizing McKeever's inherent nobility, attempts to reinstate him as his rightful heir. Yet, McKeever, embodying a profound sense of justice and compassion, chooses instead to dispatch a reformed Stanley back to England, ensuring his half-brother assumes his proper, albeit hard-won, place within the aristocratic lineage.
Synopsis
Gilbert Brockhurst, an Englishman living in America, has an American wife and a six-year-old son named Robert. His wife inherits a ranch in Arizona. A short time later, Brockhurst is informed that his cousin has died, and that he is now the Earl of Somerfield. He deserts his wife and goes to England. When his wife dies on the ranch, Brockhurst remarries and has a son named Stanley, who is regarded as his heir, but he's a spendthrift. When Brockhurst is sent to America on a diplomatic mission, he takes Stanley with him and threatens to leave him in America unless he reforms. Meanwhile, Brockhurst's older son has taken the name Robert McKeever and taken over the ranch. McKeever finds Stanley in a gambling house, pays off his debt, and takes him to his ranch. He then fears that his half-brother is winning the affection of Ruth, the local schoolteacher. McKeever eventually tells Ruth she can go to Stanley, but she tells him that she really loves him. Brockhurst offers to make McKeever his heir, but instead, McKeever sends Stanley, who has reformed, back to England.
Review Excerpt
"
Frank Lloyd’s 1918 silent drama, True Blue, is far more than a mere period piece; it’s a robust exploration of identity, inheritance, and the enduring pull of both lineage and self-made destiny. Starring the formidable William Farnum, this film masterfully navigates the treacherous waters of familial betrayal and the eventual, often surprising, currents of reconciliation. It presents a stark contrast between the Old World’s rigid class structures and the New World’s rugged individualism, pa..."
