Russia, the Land of Oppression - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

It is Passover Eve and Vida, our heroine, and her family are seated at the sacred festive board. The wine is passed around and the solemnities of the occasion are being performed when suddenly a band of Russian soldiers breaks into the ...See moreIt is Passover Eve and Vida, our heroine, and her family are seated at the sacred festive board. The wine is passed around and the solemnities of the occasion are being performed when suddenly a band of Russian soldiers breaks into the house. In terror the family flees into the streets, but here they are confronted by a terrible scene for the other members of their race have been treated in a like manner and are now running through the streets terror-stricken. All of the persecuted people trembling with fear crowd into their only haven, the synagogue. Here they are devoutly praying to God for delivery from the greater catastrophe impending when Cossacks come tearing in upon them, not only desecrating the sanctity of their temple but setting fire to it. The general has given particular orders regarding Vida and her parents with the result that both she and her father are captured and hurried off to Siberia. Vida's lover, the general's son, having learned of their fate determines on a bold course. Disguising himself as a wandering peasant he makes his way to the far off city of torture, where his loved one is imprisoned. Here he throws off his disguise and, of course, his rank is immediately respected so that he has no difficulty in taking Vida away. We finally see the couple landing at Ellis Island, the blessed gate of the land of the free, where they settle down in peace to forget the awful memories of Kief and Kishineff. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less