"THE MANXMAN."

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1917, Page 8

"THE MANXMAN."

The photo dramatisation of Hall Caine s wonderful novel, ''The Manxman" was shown at the. Empire, theatre last night, .. It loses' nothing, of its force and pathos in the telling on the cinematograph screen} if anything, both are enhanced by the beautiful scenery of the coast of the Isle of Man :and the rural surroundings. . The, story of course, is well known.— Kate, the girl, loves Pete. Pete has been scorned by Kate's father, but before his leaving: for the mines in Cape Colony, his bosonv. friend, Philip, also in lovo. with the.girl, influences the father to allow the - two .lovers to become engaged. Asi,time 'passes, Kate; the woman, -realises that she loves Philip. .Word is received "from the diamond mines that Pete has been killed. Philip, being of high birth, and having lofty ambitions, sees that he cannot marry Kate, and. news being received that Pete is alive and returning home, solves the difficulty.,for him,. Kate becomes the hypocrite, and marries Pete, living a miserable life, ~ The . joyous, light-hearted Pete, however, never discerns that her love is forced and much less that the baby who comes to them is really not his. Finally, unable to endure tho shaih life, the girl attempts suicide and is brought to trial before Philip, now Deemster. Before the whole court he renounces his office and explains why he is not worthy of the trust vested in him. The story closes with the bitterly disillusioned Pete making a great, sacrifice, returning to the mines without even the 'companionship of the baby in whom he was so . wrapt, and leaving the little family in contentment and happiness. ."The Manxman" can genuinely bo claimed as the big picture of the year. The cast is an extraordinary one. Henry Ainley, ak .Phillip, acts with tremendous power a role calling for the portrayal of deep emotion. The scenes were taken in the Isle of Man. and will prove, a revelation to audiences accustomed to made-up studio imitations of scenery. . This moving story will be shown for tiie -last tifne to-night.