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Back to God's Country (1919 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Back to God's Country' is a 1919 Canadian drama film directed by David Hartford. It is one of the earliest Canadian feature films. The film starred and was co-written by Canadian actress Nell Shipman. With an estimated budget of over $67,000, it was the most successful silent film in Canadian history.

The film is noteworthy as it starred Shipman and was produced by her husband, Ernest. Shipman was one of the first women to do a nude scene on screen in the movie.Dawn E. Monroe, [http://www.famouscanadianwomen.com/on%20the%20job/entertainers.htm On The Job: Canadian Women of Achievement] In 1918, they created a production company, Shipman-Curwood Producing Company, to produce 'Back to God's Country'. The film was the only film the company would produce, and was based on a short story, "Whapi, the Walrus", by James Oliver Curwood.[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/4539/4539-h/4539-h.htm Gutenberg.org]

Curwood's story was adapted to the screen by Nell herself. She changed the protagonist of the film from a great dane to the female lead, Dolores. Shipman also shaped her character into a heroine, who saves her husband. Curwood was infuriated with Shipman, but commercially the film was extremely successful, posting a 300 percent profit and grossing a million-and-a-half dollars.

Cast



Preservation status



The film has been re-made twice by Hollywood, but the original version was believed to have been lost. However, a print of the original film was found in Europe, restored in 1985, and re-released. A copy of the film is in the Library of Congress film archive,[http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/B/BackToGodsCountry1919.html Progressive Silent Film List: 'Back to God's Country'] at silentera.com and it has been released on DVD by Milestone Films.

See also



* List of rediscovered films

References




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