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[The Thunderbolt]
(1912) Denmark
B&W : Three reels
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: (unknown)
Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was released in the USA by Feature and Educational Film Company in March 1912.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Lady Mary is deeply in love with the gamekeeper of her father’s estate, though engaged by her parents to marry Lord George. The latter comes to visit his prospective wife and father-in-law, but in spite of his presence in her home Lady Mary, in the quiet twilight of the Northland summer goes from her room to seek the man she loves. Lord George also takes an after-dinner stroll, never suspecting the gamekeeper as his rival, and nearly comes upon the lovers, who are enjoying a trip through the garden. Lady Mary flees into the woods nearby to escape the sight of Lord George and after some difficulty she arrives at the house. Next morning, the gamekeeper delivers his weekly report and calls for the payroll. The Duke proudly exhibits to Lord George a string of valuable pearls, a bridal gift for his daughter. The gamekeeper overhearing the conversation is startled by the reminder of the near approach of his sweetheart’s marriage to another. Lord George, noticing this, eyes him suspiciously. The gamekeeper returning to the lodge house, receives a letter from Lady Mary, who fearing her father’s wrath, invites him to meet her in the privacy of her room. He keeps the appointment and while there, Lady Mary’s mother becoming ill, seeks relief in Mary’s room. Both of the lovers find themselves in a terrible predicament and the gamekeeper, seizing upon the first opportunity, runs to the window and plunges head foremost through it. Outside he clings to the window’s ledge for a moment, then falls to the ground. This forms a most striking incident. The night patrolman of the estate picks up the gamekeeper and other occupants of the house rush out and carry him indoors. Surrounded by the entire household which was aroused by the commotion, he is asked for an explanation. Being at a loss what to say and not wishing to compromise Lady Mary he is silent. When Lord George steps forward and accuses him of coveting the necklace, he admits this, and is promptly carted off to prison. The mother of the gamekeeper goes to visit her son and pleads with him to tell the truth. He refuses and she goes to Lady Mary, who is fighting a battle within herself. If she tells the truth, she will sacrifice her honor, and if she remains silent, her sweetheart will be convicted. She finally chooses the latter course, and the gamekeeper goes to trial. This final scene is a masterpiece of production and action. The witnesses all testify against the gamekeeper and in the eyes of the court and onlookers he is a doomed man. The judge and jury prepare to render a verdict and the gamekeeper staggers forward to hear the words which he knows will send him to a cell and dishonor him forever. Suddenly Lady Mary, who has been sitting in the background watching the proceedings, rises and strides to the prisoner’s box. She confesses the truth and proclaiming him innocent throws her arms about the gamekeeper’s neck and weeps. Instead of a verdict against him. the gamekeeper is set free and Lady Mary’s parents, understanding the situation their daughter had placed the gamekeeper in, and realizing how devoted he was to take the blame for Lady Mary’s act, cheerfully forgive their daughter, and give her hand in marriage to the gamekeeper. Lord George, humiliated and disgusted leaves the scene and the two lovers embrace each other and embark on a long and happy life.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: (unknown) [Denmark]; Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 3 July 2025.
References: Website-IMDb.
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