St John’s Silent Film 2025

For the fourth consecutive year, we will begin Holy Week with a silent film illustrating the Passion. Our organist will provide an original and improvised soundtrack for the movie to help prepare you for Holy Week.

Join us for the St John Silent Film Night 2025

The featured silent film of 2025

From the Manger to the Cross: A Landmark in Early Religious Cinema

Released in 1912, “From the Manger to the Cross” is a groundbreaking silent film that occupies an important place in cinema history as one of the first feature-length films to portray the life of Jesus Christ.

The film, directed by Sidney Olcott and produced by the Kalem Company, is remarkable for its ambitious scope, authentic locations, and contribution to establishing religious storytelling as a credible genre in early filmmaking.

Plot and Structure

The film chronicles Jesus Christ’s life, starting with the Nativity in Bethlehem and ending with the Crucifixion.

They organized the film as a series of vignettes, each illustrating key events from the Gospels, such as the Sermon on the Mount, the Last Supper, and Judas’s betrayal.

The narrative is presented with reverence and simplicity, aiming to convey the spiritual essence of the story rather than engage in complex theological debates.

Production and Filming

One of the most remarkable aspects of From the Manger to the Cross is its use of on-location filming in the Middle East. Director Sidney Olcott and his crew traveled to Egypt, Palestine, and other regions to capture authentic landscapes and settings mirrored the biblical world.

This innovative approach was revolutionary, as most era films were filmed in studios or improvised sets. Utilizing actual locations for the movie created a sense of realism and splendor that enthralled viewers.

The film was completed in just six weeks, showcasing the efficiency and dedication of the entire cast and crew. Robert Henderson-Bland, a British actor, portrayed Jesus with a quiet dignity that resonated with viewers. The supporting cast featured Gene Gauntier, who co-wrote the screenplay, as the Virgin Mary.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, From the Manger to the Cross was acclaimed widely. Audiences and critics praised its visual beauty, respectful treatment of its subject matter, and innovative use of location filming. The film was mainly celebrated for its ability to convey the biblical story’s spiritual and emotional depth without sound, relying instead on expressive acting, intertitles, and a stirring musical score that accompanied screenings.

The film’s success demonstrated the potential of religious themes in cinema, paving the way for future biblical epics such as The Ten Commandments (1923) and Ben-Hur (1925). It also highlighted the film’s growing cultural and artistic significance as a medium capable of addressing profound and universal themes.

Preservation and Historical Significance

Many film critics and movie historians regard “From the Manger to the Cross” as a landmark in early cinema. It is one of the earliest surviving feature-length films and remains an essential artifact for scholars studying the evolution of filmmaking and the representation of religious narratives in media.

The film was preserved by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which occasionally screens it at film festivals and retrospectives focusing on silent cinema and at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Burlington, Wisconsin.

Conclusion

“From the Manger to the Cross” is a powerful testament to the ability of early cinema to inspire and engage audiences. Its use of authentic locations, heartfelt performances, and a respectful approach to its subject matter made it a groundbreaking work for its time. Over a century later, the film continues to be celebrated as a pioneering achievement in film history and a significant milestone in portraying religious stories on screen.

Feel free to print out a poster as a reminder or to hang around town; let’s get the word out.