The Wind (1928)
Victor Sjöström's haunting silent masterpiece follows a young woman driven to the edge of madness by the merciless Texas wind and the cruelties of frontier life.
The Wind - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Wind
- Release Year: 1928
- Directed by: Victor Sjöström
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Western, Romance, Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 16m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 15, 1928 (Denmark), November 23, 1928 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: A szél (HU), Вятърът (BF), 바람 (KR), Stormen (DK), Le vent (FR), Der Wind (DE), 風 (JP), El viento (ES)
- Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Wind - Plot
When Letty Mason relocates to West Texas, she finds herself unsettled by the ever-present wind and sand. Arriving at her new home at the ranch of her cousin, Beverly, she receives a surprisingly cold welcome from his wife, Cora. Soon tensions in the family and unwanted attention from a trio of suitors leave Letty increasingly disturbed.
The Wind - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the elemental fury of the Texas plains come to life:
A tornado of human emotions.
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The Wind - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Victor Sjöström
Main Cast
- Lillian Gish
- Lars Hanson
- Montagu Love
- Dorothy Cumming
- Edward Earle
- William Orlamond
- Carmencita Johnson
- Leon Janney
- Billy Kent Schaefer
- Sam Appel
Writers
- Frances Marion
The Wind - FAQs
Is The Wind (1928) based on a book?
Yes, The Wind is based on the 1925 novel of the same name by Dorothy Scarborough. The novel was considered controversial for its bleak portrayal of life on the Texas plains, and the film adaptation closely follows its themes of psychological deterioration driven by isolation and the relentless desert wind.
Where can I stream The Wind (1928)?
The Wind (1928) is available to stream on several platforms, including Tubi TV and JustWatch TV for free with ads or at no cost, as well as Fawesome. It is also accessible through Philo and the Fandor Amazon Channel as part of their flatrate subscription offerings.
Why is The Wind (1928) considered a masterpiece?
The Wind is widely celebrated for Lillian Gish's extraordinary performance and Victor Sjöström's visceral direction. The film uses the wind as both a physical and psychological force, creating an atmosphere of dread and claustrophobia rarely matched in silent cinema. Critics regard it as one of the finest achievements of the silent era.
Who are the main actors in The Wind?
The Wind stars Lillian Gish as Letty, the fragile protagonist, alongside Lars Hanson as Lige, Montagu Love as Roddy, Dorothy Cumming as Cora, and Edward Earle as Beverly. William Orlamond, Carmencita Johnson, Leon Janney, Billy Kent Schaefer, and Sam Appel round out the principal cast.
What is the ending of The Wind explained?
In the film's climax, Letty kills Roddy, who has assaulted her, and buries his body in the sand. When the wind begins to uncover the corpse, her already fragile mental state collapses. The ending is deliberately ambiguous, leaving viewers uncertain whether Letty survives or is consumed by the desert and her own unraveling mind.
Who directed The Wind (1928)?
The Wind was directed by Victor Sjöström, the acclaimed Swedish filmmaker who brought a distinctly European sensibility to Hollywood. Known for his psychological depth and mastery of atmosphere, Sjöström transformed the Texas plains into a landscape of existential terror, delivering one of his most celebrated American productions.
How long is The Wind (1928)?
The Wind has a runtime of 76 minutes, making it a tightly constructed feature that sustains its atmosphere of mounting dread from beginning to end. Despite its relatively brief length, the film delivers a psychologically intense experience that has left a lasting impression on film historians and audiences alike.
What genre is The Wind (1928)?
The Wind blends Drama, Western, Romance, and Thriller elements into a singular cinematic experience. Set against the harsh Texas frontier, it uses the conventions of the Western genre to frame a deeply psychological story of a woman's mental and emotional collapse, making it a genre-defying work of late silent cinema.
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