Hobart Bosworth, Jane Novak, James Gordon, J.P. Lockney, Otto Hoffman, Wallace Beery. Originally produced as a motion picture in 1919. Based on the short story by Gouverneur Morris (McClure's magazine, July 1918). "This edition of Behind the door includes two versions of the film: the original American release, as well as the Russian export version, re-titled and significantly reconfigured"--Page 9 of booklet. "A Paramount Artcraft special." Restored by the Library of Congress, Gosfilmofond of Russia and the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in 2016. Bonus features: original production outtakes; Kevin Brownlow remembering Irvin Willat; restoring Irvin Willat's Behind the door; Slideshow gallery.
Summary:
Oscar Krug is a working-class American who is persecuted for his German ancestry after war is declared. Driven by patriotism, Krug enlists and goes to sea. However, tragedy strikes when his wife sneaks aboard his ship and is captured following a German U-boat attack. Krug's single-minded quest for vengeance against the sadistic German submarine commander leads to the film's shocking and brutal climax.
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