User Reviews

As an acquaintance of the extended Sinclair family, I've had the opportunity to watch this film that they had transferred from some old reels in their possession. While it was kind of difficult to tell if what we viewed represented the entirety of the movie, I got the gist of it. I think it lasted around an hour although I stepped out at one point.

I am no expert on silent film, but it seemed to be about what one would expect from a film of the era as far as the acting, scenery, etc. It was a bit over-acted from a modern perspective and of course you have to fill in the blanks since the story is told visually with place cards showing dialogue and story line now and then. For me, it was a bit slow with no audio of any kind, such as music during the scenes. You could definitely tell that areas of the film had degraded over the years, but some scenes looked as good as the Charlie Chaplin clips I've seen on TV, etc.

Having read the book many years ago, it did follow the story quite faithfully from what I recall. It had the wedding at the beginning, all the factory work of course, and the meeting of the workers union towards the end. Mr. Sinclair was supposedly involved to a degree in the making of the movie and the family was delighted to see their great-grandfather or great-uncle shown at one point in the film.

While I recall the book being fairly grotesque and seedy, especially for its time, the movie was much less detailed, only hinting at the horrors of the meat factories in its visuals. However, you still knew exactly what was going on. It did paint a sad story that one could take as melodramatic if it were not based on actual experience. And, it points to hope at the end of the movie.

Somewhat daring and powerful stuff is exploited before the general public, particularly at the psychological moment, when the author is so active in the socialistic field (see daily newspapers). Nothing has been spared by the producing company in the way of cost in this picturization to make it equal to the novel itself, or to the dramatic version which was so universally popular at the time of its production. Owing to the fact that "The Jungle" enjoys a world-wide recognition and has been read by the majority of humanity, a description of the plot seems to be almost superfluous. The novel enjoys the unprecedented distinction of having been translated and printed in seventeen different languages, in each of which it had a record sale. To overcome the decided opposition of those interested in the packing business, so vividly described in the book, many difficulties and obstacles were encountered. The producers were compelled to purchase machinery, install it in their own studios and lease stock yards, etc., to get the true atmosphere. The All-Star Feature Corporation secured an exceptionally strong cast to depict the story, composed of prominent Broadway players. George Nash, star of "The Gamblers," "Officer 666" and "I'anthea" has the powerful role of Jurgis, the head of an immigrant family, a part which seems to have been created for him. Miss Gail Kane, of "Seven Keys to Baldpate" reputation, essays the part of Ona, his sweetheart in Lithuria, and later his wife in America. Incidentally, Mr. Nash and Miss Kane will co-star tile coming season in the New York production of "The Miracle Man." Among the supporting company of "The Jungle" appear such well-known people as Robert Cumming, Clarence Handyside, R. Payton Gibbs, Maxine Hodges, Alice Marc, Julia Hurley, May McCabe, Ernest Evers ami Nickelas Sinnerella. All the salient points of the story have been distinctly and cleverly portrayed. The vivid distinction shown between the employer and the employed and the wide and bridgeless chasm that yawns between the selfish and arrogant rich and the dependent poor contains much that is of heart interest. The careless and unsanitary methods utilized in the manufacture of canned meats which are sold to the public, is clearly demonstrated and, if true, are diabolical and criminal. The plot is very simple to demonstrate so much, and could be easily followed and understood without sub-titles. The vicissitudes encountered by the struggling immigrant family for a mere existence, beset by persecution and disparagements at all angles, is but an illustration of numberless others in the same condition. Many gripping scenes obtain, especially where Jurgis, after a desperate struggle, flings the foreman into the cattle run of the stock yard. The mob scenes during the strike against a reduction of 20 per cent in wages, ordered by the packing house magnate, on account of the extravagance of his family, are cleverly directed and extremely realistic. Mr. Sinclair, the author, appears in the cast in the last reel and is easily recognized. The finale of the story is gratifying. Taken as a whole, the picture contains much that is wholesome. The photography is excellent, and the acting and direction are above criticism. - The Moving Picture World, June 20, 1914