Plots(1)
With American opinion divided over the European war in 1915, no fewer than three major motion pictures were conceived with anti-war messages in mind: J. Stuart Blackton's The Battle Cry of Peace, D.W. Griffith's Intolerance and Thomas Ince's Civilization. Set in the mythical kingdom of Wredpryd, Civilization begins with war spreading through the land. Inventor Count Ferdinand (Howard Hickman), against the wishes of his pacifist fiancee (Enid Markey), agrees to commandeer a submarine against the enemy. When his sub blows up, the Count is rescued from eternal damnation by the spirit of Jesus Christ, whose soul enters Ferdinand's body. Ferdinand returns to life, convincing the King of Wredpryd (Herchel Mayal) that he, the king, has divine powers. But Jesus, using Ferdinand as his vessel, shows the king that no man is above the laws of God--and also gives him an up-close-and-personal tour of the bloody battlefield. The King realizes the error of his ways, and declares an end to the battle. Extremely popular during its first year of release (1916), Civilization disappeared from view the moment that the US declared war against Germany. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
![Howard C. Hickman](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/219/161219152_12f03b.jpg)
Howard C. Hickman
USA
Best movies:
Fury (1936)
Gone with the Wind (1939)
Holiday (1938)
![Enid Markey](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/046/576/46576505_0d9b24.jpg)
Enid Markey
USA
Best movies:
The Boston Strangler (1968)
The Naked City (1948)
Tarzan of the Apes (1918)
![John Gilbert](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/276/276203_c6c5a5.jpg)
John Gilbert
USA
Best movies:
He Who Gets Slapped (1924)
Flesh and the Devil (1926)
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)
![Alice Terry](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/278/278685_4b8990.jpg)
Alice Terry
USA
Best movies:
The Magician (1926)
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921)
Civilization (1916)
![Charles K. French](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/103/160103292_7989c6.jpg)
Charles K. French
USA
Best movies:
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
Reap the Wild Wind (1942)
The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)
![Woodrow Wilson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/158/019/158019426_ef728a.jpg)
Woodrow Wilson
USA
Best movies:
Johnny Got His Gun (1971) - a.f.
For Me and My Gal (1942) - a.f.
Civilization (1916)
![J. Barney Sherry](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/332/160332799_b08f39.jpg)
J. Barney Sherry
USA
Best movies:
Civilization (1916)
![Herschel Mayall](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/529/161529688_f01e53.jpg)
Herschel Mayall
USA
Best movies:
Civilization (1916)
Claire Du Brey
USA
Best movies:
Marie Antoinette (1938)
The Devil Doll (1936)
Little Miss Broadway (1938)