That was an excellent one.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Subtitled "The faithful devotion and self-sacrifice of an old Negro servant", this early film portends the director D.W. Griffith's future "Birth of a Nation". When the Civil War breaks out, Confederate Del Henderson goes into battle, leaving his wife (Claire McDowell) and daughter in the hands of their beloved slaves. Patriarch of the household slaves is George (Wilfred Lucas); among other things, he plays "horsey" with the child by letting her ride on his back. When Yankees try to burn down the Master's house, George must spring into action. However intentioned, "His Trust" is a racist film. The loyal slaves are played by white actors in "black-face" makeup, and they look ridiculous. Didn't Griffith know any real "People of Color"; or, he didn't think they could act? Weren't there any darker skinned people in the USA who could play these roles? ** His Trust (1/16/11) D.W. Griffith ~ Wilfred Lucas, Claire McDowell, Dell Henderson

This short film combined with his epic BIRTH OF A NATION is definitive proof that D. W. Griffith had both contempt for Black people and believed strongly in the myth that the "Old South" was paradise for the slaves! The film begins with the Master going off to war and all the slaves crying and wishing him luck (in real life, they probably would have cheered--hoping he'd get his head blown off!). But, as luck would have it, the man soon is pushing up the daisies (that's DEAD to all you who don't understand American slang). His sword is the only thing that returns home. A bit later, the house with the sword catches fire and a devoted slave not only saves the little White girl, but returns to rescue the sword! Then, at then end, he houses the girl and her mom in his shack (a mansion compared to most real slave quarters) and sleeps outside like some sort of devoted dog. Oh, and did I mention that all the Black actors were really White folks in dark makeup?! While I must admit that Griffith made some great films and was very, very important to the early film industry, there must be a lot of people who would love to know he's burning in Hell for his depiction of Black Americans!! This film is important historically and probably should be seen by teens to know just how far we have come.

"His Trust" was the fourth of Griffith's seven Civil War Shorts. Actually there were only six, "His Trust" was the only two-reeler and against Griffith's wishes Biograph released it serially, calling the second reel "His Trust Fulfilled". It lacks the charm of the remaining five shorts and is painfully cornball in comparison to most of Griffith's Biograph work.Wilfred Lucus (in blackface) plays George, a faithful Negro servant entrusted by his owner with the welfare of his wife and young daughter when he goes off to fight for the South. Predictibly the owner dies in a nicely staged battle sequence, union soldiers burn the mansion in a poorly staged arson sequence, and George rescues the daughter and his master's sword. The daughter grows up in George's cabin. In the second reel George pays for her education at a seminary, and resists the temptation to steal when his money runs out. She eventually marries her "cousin" (seriously) and George gets to keep the sword.Although a rather weak story, "His Trust" is significant for several reasons. It's subject, a southern family reduced to poverty by the war mirrors Griffith's own situation. Griffith's father served in Kentucky's "Orphan Brigade" during the Civil War and the family never really recovered from the financial setbacks that resulted. It's hero, a "good Negro", is portrayed affectionately-if somewhat patronizingly; a precursor of what was to come in "Birth of a Nation".Finally, "His Trust" was Griffith's first foray outside the world of single reel shorts. Griffith was pressing Biograph for funding to do longer films. Other studios had already released the five reel "Life of Moses", a four reel "Les Miserables", and a three reel version of "Uncle Tom's Cabin". Biograph's resistance to the concept of longer films would eventually be a factor in Griffith's split with his original studio, a production house that owed its #1 reputation to Griffith's vision and innovation. Even in 1910 Griffith seemingly had grasped the change that was taking place as feature length films would not be released serially but would play as extended showings in legitimate theaters.Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

D.W. Griffith's 1911 film "His Trust" is about colored servant George who takes care of the wife and child after the husband died in battle. Good films. Better than average on most levels, although the black face makeup remained the prime focus of the civil war film. Followed by sequel released a week after this film during its initial run in theaters.