The Nihilists

Scene 1. BETRAYED BY A GOVERNMENT SPY.

The story of the production covers the wrongs done to a high-class family of Warsaw, Poland, by a tyrannical Governor. In the opening scene we find the family happily grouped about a well-spread table enjoying the evening meal. A manservant, who is a spy in the employment of the Governor, betrays the aged father of [the] family, and as the meal is progressing the door is suddenly burst open and a Russian officer followed by several armed Cossacks enters. The father is seized and forcibly searched, the spy in the meanwhile making his accusations to the consternation of the other members of the family -- that is: the old mother, two stalwart sons, the daughter (a handsome young woman), and two little girls. The search reveals revolutionary documents in the possession of the father, and he is dragged away despite his protestations of his innocence, and despite the tearful pleadings of the family.

Scene 2. RUSSIAN JUSTICE.

This scene is laid in the dungeon of a military prison. The old man appears before a hasty court-martial, presided over by the Governor himself, and is condemned without a hearing. At the Governor's orders he is seized by a couple of burly Cossacks, stripped until his back is bare, and chained to the wall with his arms above his head. He is then cruelly knouted with the many-thonged whip in use in Russian prisons. He faints under the awful punishment, and is hurriedly released and flung half dead upon a table, from which he falls, writhing in his agony, to the floor.

Scene 3. THE VAIN PLEA TO THE GOVERNOR.

In the meantime, the two sons and the daughter hurry to the palace of the Governor, and on their knees to pray to that august personage for the release of their father. They are rudely rebuffed, and go away with a bitter cry for vengeance.

Scene 4. ON THE WAY TO SIBERIA.

At the opening of this scene we find the old man in a courtyard of the military prison, chained in a line of criminals and political prisoners, some of them women, about to start on the long and dreadful trip to Siberia. The roll is called by an officer, and urged on by the merciless Cossacks, the miserable line sets forth on its journey. Two subsequent views of the journey are given. Both show the chained prisoners wearily plodding their way over the snow-clad Siberian steppes. They stagger and stumble in their weakness, but the Cossacks urge them on at the point of the bayonet. One of the Cossacks is seen to strike a frail woman with the butt of his rifle. The old man, weakened by his awful punishment and the rigors of the long journey, drops by the wayside to die. The Cossacks kick his body like that of a dog and leave it for food for the carrion birds.

Scene 5. JOINING THE NIHILISTS.

In the underground rendezvous of the extremest section of the Nihilists a meeting is in progress [and] the two brothers and the sister are brought in blindfolded as novitiates, and after [being] catechised as to their intentions, are solemnly sworn in, registering their oaths [on] a naked blade. Lots are then drawn to decide who shall be charged with executing the death sentence upon the Governor. The elder son draw the fatal billet.

Scene 6. THE ATTEMPT THAT FAILED.

This scene is divided into three parts: First, before the great gate of the Governor's palace; second, across a stone bridge spanning a small waterfall, and third, a road near the Governor's palace. At the opening of the first part, sentries are seen stationed at either side of the massive doorway. The doors swing apart, and the Governor drives out in his carriage.

In the following section, the younger brother and sister are seen hiding behind the bridge waiting for the Governor to pass. The carriage drives up, and over the bridge, and the two are unobserved. The girl springs up and waving her apron gives a signal to the older brother, hidden behind a tree by the roadside, that the Governor is in the carriage approaching.

The third part shows the older brother in hiding. The carriage approaches and the man steps forth and throws his bomb. It explodes before it has passed but a few feet from his hand, and he is hurled to the ground. The Governor's orderly springs from the carriage and discharges his revolver into the body of the prostrate man. Cossacks rush up and examine the body.

Scene 7. VENGEANCE!

The final scene is laid in the grand ballroom of the Governor's palace. A levee is in progress, and many gorgeously uniformed men and beautiful women are present. The Governor is hurriedly called aside by an aide. While the conference is occurring, the remaining brother and sister are seen stealthily slipping from pillar to pillar, until the girl is within a few feet of the Governor. In her hand is a bomb. She hesitates an instant to make sure of her aim, and then hurls the deadly missile. It explodes with terrific effect. The Governor is torn to shreds, and the magnificent palace is wrecked. The girl alone remains uninjured in the ruins, and with arms raised to Heaven she gives thanks for the success of her effort.

[Source: Biograph advertising bulletin No. 43, March 27, 1905, Biograph Bulletins 1896-1908, Compiled by Kemp R. Niver, Edited by Bebe Bergsten (Artisan Press, 1971), pp. 152-154.]