Watch The Cry of the Children

The Cry of the Children is a silent drama film from 1912, directed by George Nichols and produced by Thomas Edison's film company. The film stars Marie Eline, Ethel Wright, and James Cruze. The plot of the film focuses on child labor in factories during the early 20th century. The story follows a group of children who work in a factory under the supervision of a harsh foreman. The children work long hours in dangerous conditions and are paid very little for their labor.

The film begins by showing the factory owners and foremen who are more interested in profits and production than the well-being of their workers. They are depicted as heartless and uncaring, with no regard for the safety or health of the children who work for them.

As the story progresses, the audience is introduced to some of the child workers, including a young girl named Molly, played by Marie Eline. Molly is forced to work in the factory to help support her impoverished family. Despite her small size and young age, she works tirelessly to keep up with the demands of the factory.

The film also portrays the toll that working in the factory has on the children's health. Many of the children develop respiratory illnesses from breathing in the dust and fumes in the factory. One young boy becomes seriously ill and is sent home to die in the arms of his grieving mother.

However, the main focus of the film is on the children's desire for a better life. They long for the chance to attend school, play with their friends, and live a normal childhood. In one poignant scene, the children are shown looking longingly through the windows of a schoolhouse as they leave the factory at the end of the day.

As the story reaches its climax, the children begin to rebel against their harsh treatment. They refuse to work and instead demand that their right to a childhood be respected. The foreman responds by using physical force to try to get the children back to work. However, the children continue to stand up for themselves, even in the face of violence.

The film ends on a hopeful note, with the children finally achieving some small measure of justice. The factory owners are forced to make some modest improvements to the working conditions, and the children are allowed a few hours each day to attend school.

The Cry of the Children is a powerful and emotional film that highlights the injustices of child labor and the need for social change. It was an important film in its time, raising awareness of the struggles of working-class children and helping to bring about legislative reform. Today, the film is a valuable historical document that offers insight into the early days of the labor movement and the struggle for worker's rights.