This film is part of a DVD set entitled "Treasures III"--a set of four DVDs all about social issues and reform. The fourth disk (where you'll find this one) is about ethnic issues in particular.
This little film is important as a WWI propaganda film and and early film by the great silent director, King Vidor. The film is about a group of kids who may remind you of the Our Gang kids, though it predates this Hal Roach creation.
According to the audio commentary, one of the reals of this film was missing--due to the ravages of time and nitrate stock degradation. However, the missing reel has apparently been recently found and restored.
Bud loves to play war with his friends--after all, WWI was a regular laugh riot. They pretend they're beating up the evil Germans and wish they were old enough to go to war to get their limbs blown off just like adults. Later at home, Bud imagines how great it would be if he, too, went to war and your see a couple of his day dreams.
Sadly, however, Bud's family does not share his blood-lust. Apparently, his brother, Reggie (who is old enough to join) even voices that he's happy he's not out getting his head blown off--what a pansy! In fact, it turns out Bud's family is evil scum as they are members of a peace organization (obvious Reds if you ask me). Of course, it's up to the America-loving kids to teach them and these other closet Bolsheviks the proper attitude. How? Young Bud dresses up like Reg and sings enlistment papers for him!! What a scamp!
If you didn't note my sarcasm above, I was trying to be quite sarcastic. WWI was a stupid and pointless war--and it's too bad we ridiculed and jailed the pacifists instead of listening to them. While I am not a pacifist, any sane person who knows about this war will admit that a lot of good men died for nothing.
By the way, Bud's family has a Black butler. In 1918, this was not unusual, though today many will no doubt blanch at such as stereotypical role.
This little film is important as a WWI propaganda film and and early film by the great silent director, King Vidor. The film is about a group of kids who may remind you of the Our Gang kids, though it predates this Hal Roach creation.
According to the audio commentary, one of the reals of this film was missing--due to the ravages of time and nitrate stock degradation. However, the missing reel has apparently been recently found and restored.
Bud loves to play war with his friends--after all, WWI was a regular laugh riot. They pretend they're beating up the evil Germans and wish they were old enough to go to war to get their limbs blown off just like adults. Later at home, Bud imagines how great it would be if he, too, went to war and your see a couple of his day dreams.
Sadly, however, Bud's family does not share his blood-lust. Apparently, his brother, Reggie (who is old enough to join) even voices that he's happy he's not out getting his head blown off--what a pansy! In fact, it turns out Bud's family is evil scum as they are members of a peace organization (obvious Reds if you ask me). Of course, it's up to the America-loving kids to teach them and these other closet Bolsheviks the proper attitude. How? Young Bud dresses up like Reg and sings enlistment papers for him!! What a scamp!
If you didn't note my sarcasm above, I was trying to be quite sarcastic. WWI was a stupid and pointless war--and it's too bad we ridiculed and jailed the pacifists instead of listening to them. While I am not a pacifist, any sane person who knows about this war will admit that a lot of good men died for nothing.
By the way, Bud's family has a Black butler. In 1918, this was not unusual, though today many will no doubt blanch at such as stereotypical role.