Watch The Trail of the Octopus -5

The Trail of the Octopus is a classic American silent film serial directed by American filmmaker Duke Worne. The first part of this action-packed trilogy features Ben F. Wilson as the heroic protagonist, Captain Hargreaves. As the film opens, Wilson's character has been assigned by the US government to track down a notorious criminal organization called the Octopus. Led by an enigmatic mastermind who remains hidden, this group has been wreaking havoc across the country, orchestrating everything from robberies to murders.

Captain Hargreaves is aided in his quest by his resourceful and loyal secretary, Laura Keith (played by Neva Gerber), as well as his friend and fellow agent, Jack Merrill (William Dyer). Together, they follow the Octopus's trail from city to city, encountering obstacles and danger at every turn.

In the first five episodes of the trilogy, Hargreaves and his team find themselves up against seemingly insurmountable odds. They battle their way through a range of thrilling scenarios, including a train derailment, a prison riot, and a daring prison escape.

The Octopus, as it turns out, is even more ruthless than originally suspected, with a vast network of spies and henchmen at their disposal. And as Hargreaves and his team get closer to their ultimate goal, the stakes continue to rise, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

The special effects and action sequences are particularly noteworthy in this film, even by the standards of its time. From car chases and gunfights to explosions and underwater sequences, the filmmakers spared no expense in their efforts to create a truly immersive and action-packed experience.

Overall, The Trail of the Octopus is a thrilling and captivating film or serial that is sure to delight fans of classic cinema, action movies or detective stories. The performances of the actors are particularly noteworthy, adding depth and nuance to the dynamic storyline.

The film's popularity and impact has been felt throughout the years, inspiring countless imitators and even influencing modern film and tv genres. Many aspects of the film, including its pace, editing and use of visual storytelling appear fresh and modern, even by contemporary standards.

Despite its age and possible confusion of having multiple episodes. The Trail of the Octopus remains a classic silent film that is well worth discovering even by a modern audience.

The Trail of the Octopus -5 is a 1919 mystery with a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.