It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 2 nominations in 1927-28.
- Best Actress
- Gloria Swanson
- Best Cinematography
- George Barnes
Sadie Thompson is a brazen woman, both radiant and beautiful, who has fled the red light district of San Francisco to start a new life on the island of Pago Pago in the sultry South Seas. Upon arrival, her ability to attract men signals the attention of a self-proclaimed moralist who has made it his duty to initiate government reform. Sadie is immediately targeted and must face deportation and imprisonment, unless she chooses to repent for her sins.
The film is based on a short story that had been adapted into a highly controversial play entitled "Rain."
Unfortunately, this film was neglected for so long that the final reel of the sole existing print eventually decayed. The last eight minutes were therefore destroyed and no longer exist. Despite this fact, the film has been released with a "reconstructed ending," where production stills were used alongside excerpts from the original script to complete the story.
Editorial:
This movie is really, really good. It is very engaging, and I became quite emotionally invested in how the story would ultimately be resolved. It was a little disappointing that at the height of the climax, the film transitioned into its reconstructed ending, but I find it very admirable that they were at least willing to try to make a complete film without the final reel.
I do not think the film would fly over too well with a conservative crowd - even today - as it arguably paints religion in a negative light. This was a Pre-Code picture, after all. But I would definitely recommend this film to those who lean progressive.
Score | 06/10 | This motion picture is worth watching.
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