Watch The House with Closed Shutters

The House with Closed Shutters is a short film from 1910, directed by D.W. Griffith, and starring a young Henry B. Walthall, Dorothy West, and Grace Henderson. It is a drama set during the American Civil War, focusing on a family's struggle to survive under siege by Union soldiers. The film opens with a title card stating that it is the year 1863, and the setting is a small town in the Confederate South. The screen then fades into a shot of a grand, Southern-style home with closed shutters. We see a group of Union soldiers marching towards the house, followed by a shot of a young woman, who is revealed to be the daughter of the house, anxiously watching from inside.

We learn that the house belongs to the Caldwell family, who are staunch supporters of the Confederacy. They have chosen to barricade themselves inside their home, cutting themselves off from the rest of the world, in order to protect their home and family from Union soldiers.

The movie follows the family as they struggle to hold out against the Union army. The father of the family, General Caldwell, is away fighting for the Confederacy. Meanwhile, his wife, played by Grace Henderson, is left alone to protect their home and three daughters. The youngest daughter is played by Dorothy West, who gives a strong performance despite her young age.

As time passes, the tension in the house mounts. The family is running low on supplies and is forced to ration what little food they have left. The soldiers outside taunt and threaten them, trying to break the family's spirit. Meanwhile, inside the house, the daughters struggle to keep up their spirits under the constant threat of danger.

One of the most gripping scenes in the film takes place during a thunderstorm. The lightning flashes and the wind howls outside the house, while inside, the family huddles together for comfort. Walthall's character, a Confederate soldier who has been wounded and is seeking refuge, appears at the door. This scene is powerful in its emotional intensity, with Walthall's character, who is a stranger to the family, becoming a symbol of hope and strength for the Caldwell daughters.

Throughout the film, Griffith employs his signature use of close-ups and dramatic camera angles to heighten the tension and create suspense. The use of intertitles and music also add to the film's emotional power.

One of the film's strengths is its portrayal of the women of the Caldwell family. Despite being trapped and in danger, they are portrayed as strong and fiercely independent. In one memorable scene, the mother of the family defiantly stands up to the Union soldiers outside, refusing to let them tear down the Confederate flag flying above their house.

The House with Closed Shutters is a historic film that captures a moment in time during the American Civil War. It is a powerful drama that showcases the talents of its cast and the skill of its director. Despite being over a hundred years old, the film still resonates with audiences today, reminding us of the struggles of our past and the resilience of the human spirit.