The Village Blacksmith Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Village Blacksmith.
The Village Blacksmith Ending Explained: (survived only 10 minutes) As young men, the squire (Marshall) and the village blacksmith (Walling) are in love with the same woman (Boardman), whom the blacksmith marries. Directed by John Ford, this 1922 drama film stars Will Walling (John Hammond), alongside Virginia True Boardman as Mrs. John Hammond, Virginia Valli as Alice Hammond, Ida Mae McKenzie as Alice as a Child. Rated 5.3/10, the conclusion has sparked discussion among viewers.
What Happens at the End of The Village Blacksmith?
(survived only 10 minutes) As young men, the squire (Marshall) and the village blacksmith (Walling) are in love with the same woman (Boardman), whom the blacksmith marries. This angers the squire. Years later, the squire's son Anson (Yearsley) dares the blacksmith's son Johnnie (Hackathorne) to climb a tree, from which he falls and is crippled. As adults, Anson and the blacksmith's daughter Alice (Valli) fall in love, which angers the blacksmith, who chastises his daughter. The blacksmith's other son Bill (Butler) returns from college and is injured in a train accident. Anson steals $480 from a church fund which is currently in Alice's possession. Alice is struck by lightning. The blacksmith take Anson and the squire to church where they both repent.
John Ford's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Will Walling (John Hammond)'s journey. This angers the squire.
How Does Will Walling (John Hammond)'s Story End?
- Will Walling: Will Walling's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Virginia True Boardman (Mrs. John Hammond): Virginia True Boardman's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Virginia Valli (Alice Hammond): Virginia Valli's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Village Blacksmith Mean?
The ending of The Village Blacksmith brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Will Walling's story may not satisfy all audiences.