The Moment Before (1916)
The film begins by presenting the elderly and elegant Duke and Duchess of Maldon, engaged in charitable acts in a Dickensian village. The following day, the duke falls off his horse and is mortally injured. Mourning the loss of her great love, the duchess collapses in church, and in the “moment before death” she reviews her own life. “It was in her youth that she had fractured practically all the Biblical commandments,” says the intertitle. In fact, when she was young, Madge the duchess was a seductive gypsy, engaged to the fiery gypsy John, but fascinated by Harold, the idle aristocratic son of the Maldons, who was prone to the family vice of excessive drinking. In love with the gypsy, Harold brings her home as a servant, scandalizing his older brother. A fight between the brothers and John’s jealousy lead to a fatal accident that forces both Harold and the gypsy couple to flee to Australia.
Cast
- Pauline Frederick - Madge, the Duchess of Maldon
- Thomas Holding - Harold, the Duke of Maldon
- Frank Losee - the elder Duke of Maldon
- Jack W. Johnston
- Eddie Sturgis
Screenplay
- Israel Zangwill (Theatre Play)
- Hugh Ford (Screenplay)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Moment Before about?
- The film begins by presenting the elderly and elegant Duke and Duchess of Maldon, engaged in charitable acts in a Dickensian village. The following day, the duke falls off his horse and is mortally injured. Mourning the loss of her great love, the duchess collapses in church, and in the “moment before death” she reviews her own life. “It was in her youth that she had fractured practically all the Biblical commandments,” says the intertitle. In fact, when she was young, Madge the duchess was a seductive gypsy, engaged to the fiery gypsy John, but fascinated by Harold, the idle aristocratic son of the Maldons, who was prone to the family vice of excessive drinking. In love with the gypsy, Harold brings her home as a servant, scandalizing his older brother. A fight between the brothers and John’s jealousy lead to a fatal accident that forces both Harold and the gypsy couple to flee to Australia.
- Who directed The Moment Before?
- The Moment Before was directed by Robert G. Vignola.
- Who stars in The Moment Before?
- The Moment Before stars Pauline Frederick, Thomas Holding, Frank Losee, Jack W. Johnston, Eddie Sturgis.
- How long is The Moment Before?
- The Moment Before has a runtime of 1h 30m (90 minutes).
- What genre is The Moment Before?
- The Moment Before is a Drama film.
- Where was The Moment Before produced?
- The Moment Before was produced in United States of America.