AllMovie

James Cruze and Marguerite Snow, who'd previously co-starred in the Thanhouser serial The Million Dollar Mystery, were reteamed in the studio's 4-reel melodrama The Patriot and the Spy. The story is set in an unidentified European country, where Pietro (Cruze) weds Blanchette (Snow), much to the displeasure of Blanchette's ex-sweetie Johannes (Alphonse Ethier). Unable to join the army because of an injury, Pietro loses some of his prestige in Blanchette's eyes as Johannes triumphantly marches to the front. As it happens, however, Johannes is a spy in the employ of the enemy. But Pietro doesn't know this and willingly agrees to help Johannes blow up a bridge, thinking that he is doing a great service to his country. Fortunately, Pietro discovers Johannes' treachery before it is too late, but that doesn't stop Johannes from taking advantage of Pietro's absence by trying to rape the helpless Blanchette. This sets the stage for the traditional last-minute rescue, bloody fistfight, and comeuppance for the villain.