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» » The Bond of Music (1912)

Short summary

Oscar, a young lieutenant of the German army, is stopping in a French town getting information. He is passing as a young musician and lodging with Pierre Lenoir. He cultivates a great ... See full summary
Oscar, a young lieutenant of the German army, is stopping in a French town getting information. He is passing as a young musician and lodging with Pierre Lenoir. He cultivates a great friendship with Francois Vian, an old 'cellist, firstly because it helps carry out his disguise and secondly, because he really is fond of music. He learns to like the old man very much. Rumors of a spy being in the town get about and Lenoir's suspicions are aroused. He confides his suspicions to his sister and shows her an offer of reward for the capture of the spy, which he hopes to gain. Oscar overhears him and flies the house. Lenoir gives the alarm and Oscar is pursued by the gendarmes and people. He takes refuge with Francois and prays to him to save him, confessing who he is. At first Francois is going to give him up, then their bond of musical fellowship is too strong for him. He hides the young German and assists him to escape. A year after the town is taken by the Germans. They invade Francois'...

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Faebei
    Generally speaking, there are three things that art, if it fails to treat reverently, does so at its peril. These three are religion (anybody's religion), love and patriotism. In this picture, the "bond of music" and the love of a musician for his favorite pupil count more with the old master than his patriotic duty to his country. His pupil was a spy. It was just before the Franco-Prussian war. He helps this pupil to elude the authorities and in later scenes the pupil comes back at the head of an invading army which destroys the city. The picture, except for this weakness, if in this case it is one, is very well done, in fact is tremendous. The military scenes are perfect. The destruction of the city seems very real. - The Moving Picture World, September 14, 1912
  • comment
    • Author: Ausstan
    France and Germany are at war! Even so musician Charles Kent doesn't care; he sits in his room, calmly playing music. When German spy Earle Williams seeks refuge, Kent lets him hide in his bedroom. Later, when the German troops march in and smash his viola, Kent finally resists and the Germans prepare to shoot him.

    Although this movie is nominally about "the bond of music", it offers a pretty rough view of German soldiers; in a few years, Griffith would show Prussian officer smashing violins as a savage indictment. Despite Kent's semi-comic portrayal of the musician, it seems more an indictment of German savagery than of war itself.

    A handsomely tinted print of this film can be seen on the Eye Institute site on Youtube.
  • Cast overview:
    Charles Kent Charles Kent - Francois Vian, an Old Musician
    Earle Williams Earle Williams - Lt. Oscar Mulbach, a German Spy
    William Shea William Shea - Pierre le Noir, Vian's Neighbor
    Kate Price Kate Price - Bertha le Noir, Pierre's Sister
    Ralph Ince Ralph Ince - A German General
    Edwin R. Phillips Edwin R. Phillips - A German Infantry Officer
    Hal Wilson Hal Wilson - A Gendarme
    Frank Mason Frank Mason - A Gendarme
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