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  • The Bells (1914)
  • Drama
The Bells (1914)
Drama
The story opens on Christmas Eve, 1818, in Mathias' Tavern. Mathias, the proprietor, is in desperate straits for need of money, and as he is sitting at his fireplace there enters, with tinkling of sleigh bells, a lone traveler, the Polish ...See moreThe story opens on Christmas Eve, 1818, in Mathias' Tavern. Mathias, the proprietor, is in desperate straits for need of money, and as he is sitting at his fireplace there enters, with tinkling of sleigh bells, a lone traveler, the Polish Jew, seeking food and temporary rest. In paying Mathias, the Jew discloses a money belt loaded with gold. The Jew leaves in his sleigh, and Mathias, by taking a short cut, overtakes the Jew and murders him in a dense forest, takes the gold and throws the body into a lime kiln. Part two of the film shows Mathias, fifteen years later, again on Christmas Eve. He is now a wealthy man and Burgomaster of the village. Surrounded by family and friends, he is celebrating the betrothal of his daughter to the young captain of police. The talk leads to the mysterious disappearance of the Polish Jew fifteen years before, and the guilty conscience of Mathias makes him think he hears the sound of the accusing bells. A dramatic part of the story is Mathias' dream, in which he sees a court convened to try him for the murder of the Jew. A mesmerist is called in, and Mathias confesses the crime and the court sentences him to death, all in the dream. The sudden awakening, the final haunting fear of "The Bells" and the tragic death of Mathias make a feature film remarkable in thrilling intensity and for the beautiful scenic background. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Writer
Emile Erckmann (play "Le Juif Polonais")
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jun 30, 1914
Release date
Jun 1914 (United States)

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