When Native American Allesandro first glimpses Ramona (Mary Pickford) he is completely smitten. After singing and strumming a tune on his guitar Ramona becomes romantically drawn to the benign Allesandro in spite of the the strong societal taboos facing such a relationship. They elope together but wherever they turn they are met with racist fury.
Before and after (Broken Blossoms) Birth of a Nation DW Griffith had no qualms about magnifying white man intolerance towards minorities. In Ramona he does a fine job of creating immense sympathy for the lovers and clear condemnation for the violent loutish behavior of the conquerers.
There are some stunning vistas to behold in this on location shoot in Ventura County CA. as the outcasts retreat to the perceived freedom of the great outdoors. Griffith's compositions are however mostly stilted and poorly blocked but it does not lessen the impact that Ramona is a brave socially conscious film that dares to hold up a mirror to the face of the majority of ticket buyers and take the other side.
Before and after (Broken Blossoms) Birth of a Nation DW Griffith had no qualms about magnifying white man intolerance towards minorities. In Ramona he does a fine job of creating immense sympathy for the lovers and clear condemnation for the violent loutish behavior of the conquerers.
There are some stunning vistas to behold in this on location shoot in Ventura County CA. as the outcasts retreat to the perceived freedom of the great outdoors. Griffith's compositions are however mostly stilted and poorly blocked but it does not lessen the impact that Ramona is a brave socially conscious film that dares to hold up a mirror to the face of the majority of ticket buyers and take the other side.