Within Our Gates (1920)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 79 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Oscar Micheaux
Stars: Evelyn Preer, Flo Clements and James D. Ruffin
IMDb score:
6,4 (4.037)
Releasedate: 12 January 1920
Within Our Gates plot
Sylvia Landry (Preer) is engaged to a black soldier, but her niece and rival Alma Pritchard (Clements) has something in mind. Her plan is to put Sylvia in a compromising situation so that Sylvia's betrothed would leave her. No longer engaged, Sylvia moves south to teach at a school for blacks.
Actors and actresses
Sylvia Landry
Alma Prichard
Conrad Drebert - Sylvia's Fiancé
Larry Prichard - Alma's Stepbrother
Dr. V. Vivian
Mrs. Geraldine Stratton
Mrs. Elena Warwick
Jasper Landry
Jasper's Wife
Efram - Gridlestone's Servant
Reviews & comments
Noodless
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- 10053 messages
- 6185 votes
The historical significance of this oldest existing film by a Black director is particularly appealing. The story is presented too haphazardly, and the visuals are somewhat ugly, but it does fit the film's theme. This controversial film aptly captures the spirit of the times regarding the hatred of whites and Blacks, which unfortunately still persists today. The film depicts some of the atrocities committed by white Americans against Blacks. Considering the time when the film was made, this must have made an impression. Within Our Gates tells the story of a Black teacher from the American South who tries to raise money for her school in the North. However, the director had other storylines in store that provide a good picture of the oppression of Black Americans.
Unfortunately, this does make the film feel too chaotic. Due to the lynching scenes, the film was edited several times by the censors. For 70 years, this film was thought to be lost, but a copy in Madrid was discovered and restored. I must admit, however, that despite its historical significance, this was still a long watch. The story is too chaotic due to excessive use of plot devices, the film has an ugly appearance, and the constant, one-sided music is annoying. 5/10
Translated from Dutch · View original
Woland
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- 4810 messages
- 3826 votes
As mentioned before, this film is historically significant, being the first (still existing) film by a Black director. It turned out to be quite a watch, despite the fact that there's plenty of interesting stuff to be had. The biggest flaw, in my opinion, is that Micheaux has more ideas than he can sensibly express in this film, or rather, perhaps specifically in a silent film. The overall plot is still manageable (a Black woman returns to her roots in the Deep South to help support a Black school; and on top of that, all sorts of additional personal storylines), but it's all told in a particularly muddled way. Often, it's unclear how various scenes should be placed, those scenes generally look rather dull and concise, and we dart from location to location; it would have been much better if Micheaux had managed to eliminate a few side plots. This is also a film that should have had a lot more conversation, but, well, that doesn't work that way in a silent film. It still gives a decent insight into life in America from a dark perspective in the late 2010s, and there are plenty of interesting characters and points, but as a film I found it rather laborious.
Translated from Dutch · View original
mjk87 (moderator films)
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- 14602 messages
- 4555 votes
It's not a bad film, but it's the type of silent film that doesn't really appeal to me. It's too focused on serious drama, and the silent format doesn't really lend itself to that. Visually, it's not particularly special either, and all in all, it's long-winded and boring. 1.5 stars.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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