This early biographical film of Edgar Allen Poe (played by D.W. Griffith's former leading actor Henry B. Walthall), "The Raven", is a mixed bag of flaws, curiosities and merits. It's based on a play and takes plenty of liberties with the facts. The film concentrates on Poe's relationship with his cousin and wife Virginia and Poe's delusions, which become graver as he mourns the death of Virginia—culminating in Poe's life imitating art via an enactment of The Raven. The delusions and fantasies, which include a lot of double-exposure photography, are a welcome, if not at least curious, addition and are the most interesting story elements in the film. Other parts, such as the tracing of Poe's family tree at the beginning of the film and an apparently fictional rivalry between Poe and his unattractive chum for the affections of Virginia, would have been better left out. Making Poe's failed engagement to Helen Whitman a case of Poe mistaking her for the reincarnation of Virginia was also unwise; the same actress also plays both parts. The filmmakers should have substituted these elements with more focus on Poe's writing.
Film technique also varies from typical to inspired. There are some interesting framing positions for a few shots in addition to some silhouette shots. The best photographed scene seemed to be "The Raven", which includes dolly shots and a panning-tracking shot that follows Walthall's motions from medium close-up position.
Walthall is the film's main selling point, though. The role of Poe was very similar to the Poe-inspired character he had already played in D.W. Griffith's "The Avenging Conscience" (1914), which also included fantastical delusions. Walthall was on the top of his profession here, fresh from the lead role in the blockbuster "The Birth of a Nation", which made him one of the biggest movie stars for a time. His restrained, yet forceful performance in "The Raven" is another example that he was also one of the best screen actors at the time, and he carries this otherwise somewhat lacking and confused feature.
Film technique also varies from typical to inspired. There are some interesting framing positions for a few shots in addition to some silhouette shots. The best photographed scene seemed to be "The Raven", which includes dolly shots and a panning-tracking shot that follows Walthall's motions from medium close-up position.
Walthall is the film's main selling point, though. The role of Poe was very similar to the Poe-inspired character he had already played in D.W. Griffith's "The Avenging Conscience" (1914), which also included fantastical delusions. Walthall was on the top of his profession here, fresh from the lead role in the blockbuster "The Birth of a Nation", which made him one of the biggest movie stars for a time. His restrained, yet forceful performance in "The Raven" is another example that he was also one of the best screen actors at the time, and he carries this otherwise somewhat lacking and confused feature.