Despite some risible title cards and unfortunately racist attitudes, this is in fact quite a disturbing tragedy about domestic abuse. Lillian Gish, actually 26 here, breaks your heart in her misery and fear of her father (a terrifying performance from Donald Crisp of all people) and when he beats her (the first time) it's quite hard to watch. She's shown some affection by 'the yellow man' (Richard Bartlemass) but it ends not at all well.
Technically interesting with cross-cutting, good editing, extreme close ups, and in an opium scene, a cut back to China and a Buddhist monastery and a bell - quite striking for its time. Shot by Billy Bitzer, edited by James Smith (I think Margaret Booth had moved to Meyer by now).
Interestingly the attention to detail paid to the Limehouse sets gave this film a bigger budget than Birth of a Nation.
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