What Happens at the End of The Two Brothers?

In Camarillo, principality of the Spanish dominion, there lived two brothers, Jose and Manuel. Born in a noble Spanish family and reared by a mother noble in both station and character, they were vastly different morally. Jose was a dutiful son and upright young man, while Manuel was the black sheep. It was on Easter Sunday morning during the processional that Manuel appears in an intoxicated condition and foully ridicules the priests and acolytes as they enter the chapel of the old mission. At this the mother's pride is hurt beyond endurance and she exiles her profligate son from her forever. Manuel is shunned as a viper and while making his way along the road, meets Pedro, the notorious political outlaw, who sympathizes with him and offers him inducements to join him, and so takes him to his camp. Meanwhile, Jose woos and wins the Red Rose of Capistran and the day for the wedding is set.

D.W. Griffith's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Arthur V. Johnson (Jose)'s journey. Born in a noble Spanish family and reared by a mother noble in both station and character, they were vastly different morally.

How Does Arthur V. Johnson (Jose)'s Story End?

• Arthur V. Johnson: Arthur V. Johnson's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Dell Henderson (Manuel): Dell Henderson's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Kate Bruce (The Mother): Kate Bruce's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Two Brothers Mean?

The ending of The Two Brothers brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Arthur V. Johnson's story may not satisfy all audiences.