The Barricade Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Barricade.
The Barricade Ending Explained: Debutante Hope Merrill returns home one day to find her financier father Amos Merrill on the verge of committing suicide. Directed by Edwin Carewe, this 1917 drama film stars Mabel Taliaferro (Hope Merrill), alongside Frank Currier as Amos Merrill, Clifford Bruce as John Cook, Robert Rendel as Gerald Hastings. With a 10/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of The Barricade?
Debutante Hope Merrill returns home one day to find her financier father Amos Merrill on the verge of committing suicide. Rather than reveal the truth -- that he has misappropriated funds from his own company -- Merrill claims that he has been ruined by young John Cook, Hope's sweetheart.
Edwin Carewe's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Mabel Taliaferro (Hope Merrill)'s journey. Rather than reveal the truth -- that he has misappropriated funds from his own company -- Merrill claims that he has been ruined by young John Cook, Hope's sweetheart.
How Does Mabel Taliaferro (Hope Merrill)'s Story End?
- Mabel Taliaferro: Mabel Taliaferro's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Edwin Carewe delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 0h 50m runtime.
- Frank Currier (Amos Merrill): Frank Currier's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Clifford Bruce (John Cook): Clifford Bruce's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Barricade Mean?
The Barricade concludes with Edwin Carewe reinforcing the drama themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Mabel Taliaferro leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.