Watch The Mother and the Law

The Mother and the Law is a 1919 silent film directed by D.W. Griffith and starring Mae Marsh, Robert Harron, and Miriam Cooper. The film is a part of Griffith's monumental Intolerance, which features intercut stories set in different time periods exploring themes of love and intolerance. The Mother and the Law is set in modern times and follows the story of a young couple, Jennie (Mae Marsh) and Jimmie (Robert Harron), who are desperately trying to make ends meet. Jimmie works in a factory and struggles to provide for his family on his meager wages. Jennie, doing her best to keep her small family together, takes in sewing and other odd jobs to contribute to their income.

One day Jimmie's friend, who is involved in a petty crime, convinces him to join him in a robbery of a local store. The robbery goes wrong, and Jimmie is caught and thrown into prison. Jennie, pregnant and with a small child to care for, is left to fend for herself.

As the story unfolds, we see the harsh realities of life for the working class at this time. Jennie is evicted from her shabby apartment and ends up in a crowded tenement building with other struggling families. She is forced to give up her newborn baby, which she cannot afford to care for, to a wealthy couple. Meanwhile, Jimmie becomes embroiled in a prison riot and is killed.

Interspersed with Jennie's story is the story of the Babylonian society, featuring a queen (Miriam Cooper) who is forced to make a difficult decision when her people rise up in revolt against her unjust rule. The queen is ultimately overthrown and her city is destroyed, but not before she makes a decision that mirrors Jennie's own selflessness and sacrifice.

The Mother and the Law is a powerful indictment of the social injustices faced by the working class at this time. It highlights the struggles of women who were left to pick up the pieces when their husbands were incarcerated or killed, and the heart-wrenching decisions they had to make in order to survive.

The film features stunning cinematography and innovative editing techniques that were ahead of their time. It also features a talented cast, including Mae Marsh, who is particularly compelling in her portrayal of Jennie's desperate plight.

Overall, The Mother and the Law is a thought-provoking and poignant film that continues to resonate today in its themes of social inequality and the sacrifices made by those on the bottom rungs of society.

The Mother and the Law is a 1919 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.