The Strike (1912)

• 58%
• 1912
• Drama
• Alice Guy-Blaché

The laborers employed in a large factory are disgruntled with the treatment accorded them. The decide to go on strike. Their employer receives their manifest with indifference, in fact he ignores their unreasonable demands. A big mass-meeting is held, after the factory is stoned. The mob is considerably agitated by a labor union orator. He arouses them to such an extent that they vote to blow up the plant. One of the young factory workers is selected for the placing of the bomb. The men are desperate and are prepared to do anything. The night before the bomb is placed a meeting is held. Before the meeting proceedings are discussed in private at the home of Jack, the bomb placer. After the discussion, he and the agitators leave to attend the meeting. In going out, the agitator drops a lighted stub of a cigarette. About midnight Jack's house is in flames. His wife and child are caught in a trap. She telephones him and gets him in the midst of a tumultuous session. Jack drops everything and runs to rescue his loved ones from sure destruction. He knows that if the bomb, which is hidden in his house should explode his wife and child would stand no show at all of being rescued. He hurries along. It is three miles to his house and not a conveyance in sight. Suddenly two big auto lamps show up in the distance. Jack motions wildly. The car glides up. To his surprise Jack sees his employer. The employer inquires of Jack the cause of his excitement. Jack explains, and soon they are away breaking speed laws, They arrive to see the house encircle in flames. The employer valiantly assists in the rescue work, while Jack dashes into a room full of smoke, gets the bomb and throws it out of the window into the street, where it explodes and fortunately does no harm. The employer wins Jack to his support and in winning Jack he also wins back the rest of his erstwhile dissatisfied men.