Based on the story of the real-life 17th Century Irish rebel and the 18th century ballad about him, this one-reeler is one of the Kalem pictures shot by Olcott and his company on their second trip to the Emerald Isle. Kalem was a very adventurous production company and the following year would head over to Palestine to make what is arguably the first American feature, FROM THE MANGER TO THE CROSS.
However, while their productions were adventurous, their techniques were fairly stodgy. In a period when great advances were being made in story-telling techniques, this one sticks to the now antiquated "illustrated text" techniques and the acting is very broad. On the other hand, the camera-work is quite beautiful and the long chase sequence that starts the show is a series of beautiful compositions. Still, they pall fairly rapidly and by the end of the movie, it's far too much.
However, while their productions were adventurous, their techniques were fairly stodgy. In a period when great advances were being made in story-telling techniques, this one sticks to the now antiquated "illustrated text" techniques and the acting is very broad. On the other hand, the camera-work is quite beautiful and the long chase sequence that starts the show is a series of beautiful compositions. Still, they pall fairly rapidly and by the end of the movie, it's far too much.