Watch An Unseen Enemy

An Unseen Enemy, released in 1912, is a silent film directed by D.W. Griffith, starring Lillian Gish and her sister, Dorothy Gish. Also starring in the film is Elmer Booth. The film is a suspenseful drama that takes place in a household of three, two sisters and their elderly father. The story focuses on the situation that arises when the family finds itself under attack by intruders who broke into their home.

The film is shot in black and white, with intertitles providing the dialogue for the characters. The opening scene establishes the two sisters as caring and attentive daughters, happily chatting with their father. The father soon leaves to attend to business outside the house, and the sisters continue with their daily activities. However, they soon find themselves trapped inside the house, as two intruders have broken in through the window, and they now have no way of escaping.

The sisters are determined to defend their home and themselves from the attackers, who are determined to steal and hurt them. Through the use of their wits and resourcefulness, they manage to outsmart the intruders several times, but the attackers continue to return, leaving them in a perilous situation. The suspense continues to build as the sisters struggle to defend themselves from the violence of the intruders.

The film's strong points lie in the performances of the two sisters, who display a range of emotions, from fear to anger, to determination. Lillian Gish, in particular, shines in her role as the older sister, showing impressive physical control and nuanced emotional expression. Her intense and emotional performance in the final scenes of the film is particularly impressive.

The use of close-ups and camera angles also help to create a sense of tension and drama, effectively drawing the viewer into the story. The tension is further heightened by the use of fast editing and innovative camera movements, which emphasize the urgency of the situation.

Overall, An Unseen Enemy is a memorable film, showcasing the talent of the two sisters as well as the skills of the director. It is a tightly paced thriller that keeps the viewer on edge throughout its brief runtime. Despite its age, the film still holds up well today, and remains an important and entertaining work from the early years of cinema.