| Plot Summary |
George Harris determines to escape from his cruel master. One day while he is working with other slaves hauling logs out of a swamp he sneaks away, making his way to the house of George Shelby. Sr., who owns his wife, Eliza, and their child. He bids Eliza good-bye, and leaving, meets his owner, who strikes him with a whip and has him branded. Shelby is in his library when he receives a letter telling him certain notes are due and offering to accept slaves in liquidation. Uncle Tom is working in his yard as Shelby and the lawyer enter. Shelby is compelled to sell Tom and Eliza's child. Eliza, who has overheard the conversation, determines to take her child and escape. She begs Uncle Tom to go with her, but he refuses, telling her he always will be faithful. Next day Eliza's escape is known, and Haley, who has bought her, gets a posse of men and starts to hunt for her. Harris offers a reward for George. George Harris, disguised as a Spaniard, escapes to Ohio, and is recognized by Phineas Fletcher in a bar. He promises to keep his secret. Meanwhile, Eliza is being hunted by men and dogs. George has told Phineas of his wife and child, and he promises to go to her rescue. Reaching a tavern near the river, he sees Eliza running, and hides her in a room while her pursuers are drinking. She gets away with the help of Phineas and joins her husband. Meanwhile Uncle Tom is sold and placed on board a steamer, where he meets Eva. Eva falls overboard and Tom jumps in and saves her. He is thanked by St. Clair, who buys him from Haley. At the St. Clair home Aunt Ophelia arrives and Topsy plays all kinds of tricks on her. St. Clair gives Topsy to Aunt Ophelia, and Tom to Eva. Later Eva falls sick and is dying. She gives a curl of her hair, and he kneels by her bedside. She dies and Tom comforts himself with his Bible. In a saloon Legree argues with another man and is going to shoot him. St. Clair tries to prevent this and is shot himself. Carried to his home, he dies. After his death all the slaves are sold. Including Tom, who is brought along with Emmeline and others by Legree. Legree finds Tom reading his Bible and sneers. Meanwhile, a warrant is issued for the arrest of Legree for the murder of St. Clair. At Legree's plantation Legree pesters Emmeline with his attentions. She rejects him and he has her tied to a post and whipped, to the horror of Uncle Tom, who is told to do the whipping. Tom refuses and is tied up and beaten by Legree himself to such an extent that he is taken away dying. Legree is arrested for the murder of St. Clair, and as Tom dies he sees a vision of Eva holding out her hands.
Written by Moving Picture World synopsis
|
