DW Griffith's "A Corner of Wheat" is one of the multiple Hollywood films based on then-nationally known onerous Buffalo labor contractor Fingy Conners. Buffalo at the time was the grain milling capitol of the world. Conners employed 6,000 men under terrible, ever-diminishing working conditions and became a multi-millionaire by continually lowering wages.
Griffiths depiction of the main character incorporates his version of a number of ripped-from-the-headlines issues of the day, including a bread shortage instigated by the Grain Scoopers strike of 1899, and the physical bullying and the grandstanding personality of the main character. In the film the antagonist gets his deserved comeuppance, while the real-life inspiration for the bad guy character remained richly rewarded.
Visually the film is extraordinary with much attention given to details that may go unnoticed upon first viewing. A banquet scene, a brawl, scenes in the wheat field and inside the grain elevator are impressive considering the early date.
Griffiths depiction of the main character incorporates his version of a number of ripped-from-the-headlines issues of the day, including a bread shortage instigated by the Grain Scoopers strike of 1899, and the physical bullying and the grandstanding personality of the main character. In the film the antagonist gets his deserved comeuppance, while the real-life inspiration for the bad guy character remained richly rewarded.
Visually the film is extraordinary with much attention given to details that may go unnoticed upon first viewing. A banquet scene, a brawl, scenes in the wheat field and inside the grain elevator are impressive considering the early date.