War Brides (1916): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1916, War Brides is a drama, war and romance film directed by Herbert Brenon, running about 72 minutes. “A STORY OF GREATER TRAGEDIES THAN THOSE OF THE TRENCHES” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Joan is loved by a young man of the village and they are married. In a few weeks the husband, a soldier, is sent to the war-front along with his three brothers. Word is received that her husband has been killed in battle and Joan's first impulse is suicide by she is pregnant and her prospective motherhood makes her realize her new responsibility. The military authorities start a movement to get the young women of the country to marry departing soldiers, so that the empire may have another generation of fighting men. Word is received that the King is to pass through their village and Joan organizes the women in a general protest against the war. She leads them all, dressed in black, in a long procession to meet the Monarch. The soldiers threaten to shoot her unless she turns the women back, buy Joan comes face-to-face with the ruler and kills herself, as her message from the women that they refuse to make another generation victims of a ruthless militarism.

Who’s in it. War Brides stars Alla Nazimova as Joan, Charles Hutchison as George, Charles Bryant as Franz and William Bailey as Eric, among others.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch War Brides page.

If you liked it. Fans of War Brides tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.