Summary
Amidst the sun-drenched expanse of an Arizona ranch, a nascent romance blossoms between the spirited Anna, daughter of the ranch's proprietor, and the dedicated assistant foreman. Their idyllic existence is abruptly shattered by the thunderous echoes of European conflict. The ranch's foreman, a proud Scotsman, heeds the call of duty, returning to his homeland to rejoin his regiment, a path the assistant foreman dutifully follows. Concurrently, Anna's father, a captain in the state militia, is dispatched to quell burgeoning unrest along the Mexican border, leaving the ranch in a state of flux. As the United States inevitably plunges into the global conflagration, Anna and her mother find themselves tragically marooned in Germany, caught in the bureaucratic quagmire of settling a relative’s estate, their American citizenship now a perilous liability. News of their desperate plight reaches the Scotsman, now a seasoned colonel. In a breathtaking display of ingenuity and courage, the assistant foreman, who has since transitioned into an orderly diligently mastering the nascent art of aviation, embarks on a solo aerial mission to extricate them. He successfully locates the beleaguered women and, in a stroke of audacious espionage, purloins vital German offensive plans. However, fate intervenes, forcing his aircraft down in the perilous desolation of No Man's Land, where he is apprehended under the grave accusation of desertion, while Anna and her mother face the grim charge of espionage. A dramatic intervention sees the colonel valiantly affirm his comrade’s innocence, just as Anna’s father arrives with a contingent of American forces, preventing the women's impending execution. With the German offensive thwarted and peace momentarily restored, the intrepid orderly is justly lauded with military honors, a testament to his extraordinary bravery and pivotal role in a truly remarkable saga.
Synopsis
On an Arizona ranch, the assistant foreman and the owner's daughter Anna fall in love. When war breaks out in Europe, and the foreman, a Scotsman, returns to join his regiment, the assistant foreman goes with him. Later, the owner, a captain in the state militia, is called to active duty because of trouble at the Mexican border. After the United States enters the war, Anna and her mother, in Germany to settle a relative's estate, cannot leave because they are American citizens. When the foreman, now a colonel, receives a letter concerning their predicament, the assistant foreman, now an orderly learning to fly, takes an airplane to rescue them. After he locates them, he steals plans for a large German offensive, but is forced to land in No Man's Land, where he is arrested as a deserter, and the women, as spies. The colonel proves his innocence, and Anna's father arrives with American troops to stop the execution of the women. After the German offensive is stopped, the orderly is decorated with medals.
Review Excerpt
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A Daring Flight into the Heart of Heroism: Reviewing 'When Arizona Won'
In an era often lauded for its epic narratives and the burgeoning art of cinematic storytelling, 1917’s When Arizona Won emerges not merely as a relic of its time, but as a vibrant testament to the human spirit's resilience, ingenuity, and capacity for profound courage. This film, starring the compelling Virginia Harris and the ever-reliable Shorty Hamilton, sweeps us from the sun-drenched, rugged beauty of..."
