Is Mammon and the Archer Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1918)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of Mammon and the Archer (1918), audiences are invited back into the world of Drama, Comedy. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Richard loves Helen, but her snobby mother looks down on him because his father made his money as a soap manufacturer. She arranges a trip abroad for Helen, but Helen arranges to meet Richard and have him drive her to the station. Richard’s aunt gives him his mother's wedding ring as a talisman and en route to the train a traffic backup occurs resulting in Helen missing the train and Richard winning her hand. Auntie claims that the ring is responsible; father only smiles knowing he paid one of his men to bribe streetcar motormen, truckmen, and taxicab drivers to bring about the traffic tie-up."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Edward Earle feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Mammon and the Archer worth your time? If you appreciate Drama, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Mammon and the Archer misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 20 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.