The Christian (1911 film)

The Christian
Directed by	Franklyn Barrett Roy Redgrave
Based on	story by Hall Caine
Starring	Roy Redgrave Eugenie Duggan
Production company	West's Pictures
Release date	2 December 1911
Running time	3,500 feet
Country	Australia
Language	Silent film English intertitles

The Christian is a 1911 Australian silent film directed by Franklyn Barrett based on a story by Hall Caine. It is considered a lost film.

Clergyman John Storm is doing mission work in the slums of London when he meets Glory, a girl from the country, who has been persuaded by Lord Robert Ure to seek a career on the stage. Storm tries to persuade Glory not to do it but she refuses. He then asks Lord Ure, which so infuriates him he sends someone to burn down Storm's mission hall. Storm is unconscious inside but he is rescued at the last minute. He goes to see Glory, determined to save her soul, by killing her if need be. But he comes to his senses and the two of them are married.

The film is based on a popular play that had been recently been produced in Sydney by William Anderson in September 1911.Roy Redgrave had played the role of John Storm in England for two years prior to coming to Australia.

Indoor scenes were shot at Wonderland in Bondi, which was owned by Anderson.

Shooting also appears to have taken place at West's studios, which were on top of their headquarters in Pitt Street, Sydney.

Roy Redgrave later claimed that he produced the picture:

I had a very strenuous time producing this picture, as I had also to play John Storm, the while I was telling the members who were acting in the scenes what to do. All the time I was doing this I thought that when The Christian was thrown upon the white screen John Storm would be mistaken for a ventriloquist. It turned out to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Redgrave would revive the role on stage throughout the rest of his career.

There were other film versions of the play in 1913, 1914, 1915 (from England) and 1923 (from Hollywood).

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