| Torment | |
| Director: | Maurice Tourneur Scott R. Beal (assistant director) |
| Producer: | Maurice Tourneur M. C. Levee |
| Based On: | [1] |
| Starring: | Bessie Love Owen Moore Jean Hersholt |
| Cinematography: | Arthur L. Todd |
| Editing: | Frank Lawrence |
| Studio: | Maurice Tourneur Productions[2] |
| Distributor: | Associated First National |
| Runtime: | 6 reels; 5,400 feet[3] |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | Silent (English intertitles) |
Torment is a 1924 American silent crime drama film produced and directed by Maurice Tourneur and distributed by Associated First National. This film stars Bessie Love, Owen Moore, and Jean Hersholt. The film is based on a story by William Dudley Pelley with script by Fred Myton and titles by Marion Fairfax. It is a lost film.[4] [5]
Count Boris Romanoff (Hersholt), a modern-day Robin Hood, has stolen the Russian crown jewels with the intent of selling them and giving the proceeds to the poor. However, a group of thieves led by Hansen (Moore) learns of this plan, and plots to steal the jewels in Yokohama before they can be sold. On a ship to Japan, Hansen meets a maid named Marie (Love), who convinces him to change his ways.
While in Yokohama, an earthquake levels the city, killing the count, and trapping Hansen, his fellow thieves, and Marie in a bank vault. Hansen and Marie fall in love, and Hansen vows to follow through with the count's wishes.[6] [7] [8]
A production crew filmed scenes in Russia and Japan, as well as the United States, so that the scenes that took place in those locales would have an authenticity.[9] [10] The film also incorporated documentary footage of the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake.