A missing silent-era Western byJohn Fordhas been rediscovered after over a century, reviving a once-forgotten piece of cinematic history. TitledThe Scarlet Drop, the 1918 film stars Harry Carey and isone of Ford’s early works, long believed to be lost. Ford is regarded as one of America’s greatest filmmakers, and his early films often emphasized sweeping landscapes, rugged characters, and emotional drama, qualities that shaped the Western genre. Many of his early silent films are lost, making this discovery a monumental moment for fans of classic cinema.
The Nationalreported thata complete copy ofThe Scarlet Dropwas discovered in a warehouse in Santiago, Chile, just a day before it was scheduled for demolition. It was the warehouse owner who found a trove of films originally owned by a local collector, which had remained untouched for 40 years after his death, and then reached out to Jaime Cordova, the director of the Valparaiso Recovered Film Festival and an academic from the University of Viña del Mar, who then rescued the films from being discarded. Speaking toCinentransit, Cordova spoke of the film’s rediscovery:
The film was very damaged, which indicates that it was a very popular film at the time. It was shown a lot. The film is 106 years old. It was stored in conditions we don’t know about. I think there are films that decide to live.
I once found aRichard IIIstarring Laurence Olivier, all the reels had vinegar disease, they had to throw it all away. That one is from 1955, this one from 1918.And this has survived much better.It decided to make itself known, which I find miraculous.
Cordova digitized the film in order to present it at the Valparaiso Recovered Film Festival, cleaning and restoring what he could, noting that it is still in need of full restoration and that his material may be missing some parts of the film. Cordova screened the digitized version at his festival in Chile in September. However, plans for a wider release ofThe Scarlet Drophave not been announced yet.
What This Means For The Scarlet Drop
Shedding Light On Film Preservation
The Scarlet Dropwas one of the 26Westerns made by Fordstarring Carey, said to be the most prolific partnership of the six-time Academy Award-winning director’s illustrious career.The recovery ofThe Scarlet Drophighlights the significance of film preservation, as silent-era films were often discarded or destroyed after their initial release, leaving historians and film enthusiasts alike with only remnants of the period. The Chilean find is particularly remarkable because the film was thought to be lost forever, with no known copies existing elsewhere aside from the 30 minutes of footage that exists in the Getty Archive.
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The discovery of the film underscores the necessity of ongoing preservation efforts. For film scholars, this is an opportunity to better understand Ford’s development as a filmmaker and his early contributions to the Western genre. Additionally,this find also serves as a stark warning of the fragility of cinematic history. Silent films, particularly those made in the early 20th century, face the constant risk of deterioration or permanent loss. The recovery ofThe Scarlet Dropcould now be the example that the world needs to start appreciating and preserving cultural artifacts, making them available for future generations to study and enjoy.
Our Take On This Discovery
A Cinematic Miracle
The rediscovery ofThe Scarlet Dropis nothing short of a cinematic miracle. Ford’s work has long been praised for its artistic value, and this film now offers a rare look into the roots of his storytelling genius. If one day the film is released widely,it could be an exciting opportunity for fans of classic cinemato experience a once-thought-lost piece of film history, and gain a deeper appreciation for the silent era that built the cinematic scene we know today.
The Scarlet Drop
Cast
The Scarlet Drop is a silent film set during the American Civil War, featuring Kaintuck Ridge, portrayed by Harry Carey. After being denied entry into the Union militia, Ridge joins a group of marauders, ultimately becoming a fugitive with a bounty on his head.
