Ashes of Vengeance | 1923 | Historical Drama

Title: Ashes of Vengeance | 1923 | Historical Drama Director: Frank Lloyd Studio: Norma Talmadge Film Corporation / First National Pictures Starring: Norma Talmadge, Conway Tearle, Wallace Beery, Courtenay Foote, Betty Francisco, Josephine Crowell Based on: Novel *Ashes of Vengeance, a Romance of Old France* by H. B. Somerville Release Date: August 6 1923 Runtime: Approximately 120 minutes Format: Silent black and white Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Historical Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre and duel 00:20:00 Rupert’s servitude begins 00:40:00 Life at the Roche estate 01:00:00 Castle conflict and wolf attack 01:20:00 Siege and rescue 01:40:00 Duel and romantic resolution --- Summary: Ashes of Vengeance is a 1923 American silent historical drama set in sixteenth-century France during the Wars of Religion. After Rupert de Vrieac, a Huguenot nobleman, wins a duel and spares his opponent’s life, he is compelled into servitude with the Roche family amid the turmoil of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. As he navigates his imposed bondage, Rupert’s relationship with Yoeland de Breux, the sister of his former enemy, evolves from hostility to love. The film blends lavish costume spectacle, romantic conflict, and dramatic action sequences, portraying personal honor and reconciliation against a backdrop of political and religious strife. --- Background: Directed and written by Frank Lloyd for the Norma Talmadge Film Corporation, Ashes of Vengeance was produced as a major costume drama showcasing elaborate sets, period detail, and large crowd sequences. Based on H. B. Somerville’s 1914 novel, the film was distributed by First National Pictures and reflects the silent era’s appetite for historical epics. --- Trivia: The story is set against the historical backdrop of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572. Cinematography was by Tony Gaudio, a noted silent-era cinematographer. The production featured lavish costumes and large-scale sets including a recreated ball at the Louvre. A complete print is preserved at the Library of Congress. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: August 6 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: Norma Talmadge Film Corporation / First National Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #AshesOfVengeance #NormaTalmadge #1923Film #SilentFilm #HistoricalDrama #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain