The Death Disc: A Story of the Cromwellian Period
The Death Disc: A Story of the Cromwellian Period is a 1909 American silent historical short film, directed by D. W. Griffith and based on Mark Twain's short story "The Death Disk" .
Plot
According to a film magazine, "In the early part of the seventeenth century England was in a state of turbid excitement. Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the English Commonwealth, was assiduous in his persecution of those who defiantly adhered to Catholicism. Few there were who had the temerity to openly profess their religious views, for such profession invariably meted execution. The Catholics, therefore, were forced to worship in secret. Many historians claim that, while Cromwell was persistent in this persecution, he did it rather to satisfy his constituents than through the dictates of his own conscience. Spies on every hand industriously reported every exhibition of Catholic fervor and the Lord Protector was forced to accede to their tacit demands. Three soldiers are discovered as adherents to the faith and are imprisoned, awaiting Cromwell's sentence.
More details
| author | Frank E. Woods |
|---|---|
| contentLocation | England |
| director | D. W. Griffith |
| genre | drama historical |
| keywords | best friend catholic church catholicism church condemn dead child force life or death oliver cromwell poor woman strike warn |
| productionCompany | Biograph Company |
| theme | biographical drama short |