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The Avenging Conscience

1914·US
Director: D.W. Griffith
HorrorDrama

Thwarted by his despotic uncle from continuing his love affair, a young man's thoughts turn dark as he dwells on ways to deal with his uncle. Becoming convinced that murder is merely a natural part of life, he kills his uncle and hides the body. However, the man's conscience awakens; paranoia sets in and nightmarish visions begin to haunt him.

Thwarted by his despotic uncle from continuing his love affair, a young man's thoughts turn dark as he dwells on ways to deal with his uncle. Becoming convinced that murder is merely a natural part of life, he kills his uncle and hides the body. However, the man's conscience awakens; paranoia sets in and nightmarish visions begin to haunt him.

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Explore Further

Obscure Films: The Avenging Conscience (1914) — Silent-ology

Critical examination of Griffith's adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe with analysis of early cinematic psychology and horror techniques.

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The Avenging Conscience (1914) | and you call yourself a scientist!? — Film Criticism Blog

Deep analysis of Griffith's horror masterpiece featuring innovative use of cutaways and Poe's literary influence on cinema.

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Cast

Henry B. Walthall

Henry B. Walthall

The Nephew

Spottiswoode Aitken

Spottiswoode Aitken

The Uncle

Blanche Sweet

Blanche Sweet

The Sweetheart

George Siegmann

George Siegmann

The Italian

Ralph Lewis

Ralph Lewis

The Detective

Mae Marsh

Mae Marsh

The Maid

Robert Harron

Robert Harron

The Grocery Boy

George Beranger

George Beranger

Donald Crisp

Donald Crisp

Josephine Crowell

Josephine Crowell

The Sweetheart's Mother (uncredited)

Walter Long

Walter Long

The Detective (uncredited)

Wallace Reid

Wallace Reid

The Doctor (uncredited)

Crew

Billy Bitzer

cinematographer

Joseph Carl Breil

composer

D.W. Griffith

writer

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