Thought to be lost for many years, this
early Cecil B. DeMille feature was thankfully discovered in Paramount’s
vault in 1970. Olive Films’ DVD and Blu-ray release on September 13th
will mark the film’s first availability on home media. In addition to
being from one of the all-time great American directors, the film was
also produced by Jesse L. Lasky, who would form the prolific Famous
Players-Lasky Corporation responsible for 731 features and 363 shorts
from 1916 to 1919.
The film also boasts a somewhat storied production history. According to
rumor, DeMille and his co-writer Jeannie MacPherson engaged in an affair
during writing and shooting. If one believes this story, indications of
their relationship can be found in the subtexts of the film itself. On a
darker turn, an extra was unfortunately killed during filming. According
to star Blanche Sweet, this was a result of real, loaded guns being used
as props. More tragedy followed shortly after filming ended, as Page
Peters, who was just rising to fame as an actor, drowned in 1916.
For the DVD and Blu-ray release of The
Captive, Olive Films has commissioned a brand-new score by
composer Lucy Duke. "The opportunity to create an original
score to a DeMille silent film is a singular opportunity-- a musician's
dream come true!" said composer Lucy Duke. "I hope that the
music is true to the era while remaining valid in a contemporary context,
shining a new light on this film."
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