Watch The Making of a Man

The Making of a Man is a silent black-and-white drama film from 1911, directed by D.W. Griffith and starring Dell Henderson, Blanche Sweet, and Edwin August. The film tells the story of a young man named Jack, as he grows up to become a successful businessman, while facing various obstacles along the way. The film opens with young Jack, who is around seven years old, losing his father in a tragic accident. Jack's mother is left to raise him on her own, with the help of her brother. Jack is a bright and curious child who is eager to explore the world around him. He is particularly interested in his father's business, which was a shipping company. Jack's uncle, who is also in the shipping business, takes him under his wing and teaches him the ropes.

As Jack grows older, he becomes more and more interested in the shipping industry. He attends college and studies business, with the goal of taking over his uncle's business when the time comes. However, Jack's uncle has other plans. He wants Jack to go into politics, and he convinces Jack to run for mayor of their small town.

Jack is reluctant at first, but he eventually agrees to run for office. He campaigns tirelessly, meeting with voters and giving speeches. He wins the election by a landslide, and he quickly becomes a beloved figure in the town. However, Jack soon realizes that politics is not for him. He misses the shipping industry and longs to return to it.

Jack's uncle scoffs at his desire to return to shipping, telling him that politics is the key to success and that he should stick with it. Jack is conflicted, but he ultimately decides to follow his heart and return to the shipping industry. He works hard and proves himself to be a capable and competent businessman.

The Making of a Man is a classic rags-to-riches story that explores themes of perseverance, hard work, and self-discovery. The film showcases the talents of its actors, particularly Blanche Sweet, who gives a standout performance as Jack's mother. The film also showcases the visual storytelling skills of its director, D.W. Griffith, who would go on to direct such landmark films as The Birth of a Nation and Intolerance.

The Making of a Man is notable for being one of the earliest feature-length films in American cinema. At a time when most films were only a few minutes long, The Making of a Man clocked in at around an hour, making it a groundbreaking achievement in the history of cinema. The film's success paved the way for future feature-length films and helped establish cinema as a legitimate art form.

In conclusion, The Making of a Man is a classic film that explores universal themes of hard work, perseverance, and self-discovery. Its talented cast and skilled director make it a memorable viewing experience, even over a hundred years after its release. Fans of classic cinema and fans of inspiring stories will find much to appreciate in this timeless film.

The Making of a Man is a 1911 drama with a runtime of 18 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.