Watch The Physician of the Castle

Two crooks lure a rich doctor away from his family so they can kidnap his wife and son to hold for ransom. This anonymous silent short of German or Austrian origin instructs in pre-Griffith cross-cutting between parallel action to create suspense as well as the use of cross-cutting close-ups to heighten emotion. The mechanics of the action are sometimes awkward (for example, piling furniture in front of doors that open toward the kidnappers). Nonetheless, the situation and camera work are sufficiently sinister to hold one's attention and the time-capsule images of early automobiles and telephones are fascinating. - Marilyn Ferdinand