The Colleen Bawn (1911)

The third silent era film by the Kalem Company was based on a 1860s play of the same name, a romantic drama of a secret marriage that leads to murder.  The film location was in County Kerry, Ireland and was directed by Sidney Olcott, also starring Gene Gauntier (as the Colleen Bawn). The story is based on the actual murder of a 15 year old girl named Ellen Scanlan in 1819.  I would recommend reading the play or a summary of the story before watching this film as it can be quite confusing.  I was impressed with the vision of the director, the cinematographer and the actors, all exploring and experimenting with a relatively new medium.  The technological determination of primitive cinema needs to be applauded as this was the stepping stones of the present day cinema.  

The Kalem Company was very concerned in authenticity and in the credits they mention the bed in the film was actually used by Daniel O'Connell, the Great Emancipator of Ireland.  During the viewing of the film they played old political ballads and invited guest lecturers to speak afterwards.  Irish soil was brought over from Ireland and placed at the threshold of the theatre so that patrons could actually 'step on' Irish ground as they entered the building to watch the film.  

Kalem and Sidney Olcott parted ways after a difference of artistic opinion on a film called "From Manger to Cross."  Gene Gauntier left with Olcott and went on to perform in over eighty films and write over forty screenplays.

1927 ushered in the era of the 'talkies' and within a decade silent films were forever silenced. 

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Three reels long, approximately 41 minutes.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwR94ukHDdQ