As far as anyone knows, this production by Cecil M. Hepworth is the only picturization of the historical novel by Charles Dickens. The author of the screenplay was Thomas Bentley, an authority on Dickens, who worked hard to bring to life the author's tale of the Gordon riots of the 1780s. Two polar opposites, honest Geoffrey Haredale (John McAndrews) and the cunning John Chester (Henry Vibart), join forces to halt the romance between Haredale's niece Emma (Violet Hopson) and Chester's son Edward. But when the Gordon iots explode, Edward is compelled to save Haredale and Emma. Meanwhile, half-wit Barnaby Rudge (Tom Powers) has somehow emerged as a leader of the anti-Catholics in the unrest. Although he is sentenced to death, he is rescued by locksmith Gabriel Varden. Haredale and Chester end their uneasy relationship in a duel. Haredale shoots and kills Chester, then out of remorse enters a monastery.
by Janiss Garza
synopsis
