Cuore di mamma

Cuore di mamma (1909)

20 Nov 1909 • Short, Fantasy, Horror
Loading...

In the form of an elegantly dressed gentleman, Mephistopheles appears with the intention of working havoc in the heart of a woman, whose devotion to her little daughter embodies all that true affection which only a mother can express for her first-born. Although endeavoring to resist the temptations of the persuasive lover, the woman becomes aware of her weakness against this designing person, who tells her that if she will not give him her love voluntarily, he will steal her heart by force. Then the man's form is mysteriously replaced with that of the Devil, who abstracts the heart of his victim and departs. The little daughter, returning from school, greets her mother with much show of affection, but her parent gives back but a cold response. The Devil has transformed her into a different person. Her affections have been stolen. All the warmth of her soul, all motherly instinct and love have departed. The child is much distressed at the sudden change in her mother, and after many tears, prays to the Holy Virgin for help. Her pleadings are answered by the appearance of a fairy, who comforts the child and explains how she can help to restore the lost bond of love. "Your mother's heart has been stolen," she says, "and this veil I give to you will help you to overcome all obstacles in your search for the person who has taken possession of your mother's love. Go to the Devil's Castle, and there you will regain your mother's heart." Little Elsie sets out upon her mission, and her progress being stopped by a river, the magic veil is brought into use, with the result that a bridge is immediately brought into existence for the help of the little wayfarer. Next threatened by two ill-looking witches, she again employs the fairy's veil, and raises up a barrier of fire and smoke to the defeat of her pursuers. Eventually reaching the Devil's Castle, she wields her wonderful power in overcoming the castle guards, and gains entrance to the sanctum of his satanic majesty. But here she is rudely treated and cast into a dungeon. One of the devil's minions, however, taking compassion upon her, guides her to the Devil's throne, where the great tempter and heart robber is slumbering. Now is the moment of her triumph. Never was a heart sought with greater fervor and desire than little Elsie evinces in her anxiety to regain this lost love of her mother. With a supreme effort she casts the veil over the sleeping demon, and in an instant be is secured in bonds of cord from which he cannot escape. Courageously approaching the Devil, the little girl, by a mysterious power, is able to gain possession of the stolen heart, and in ecstasies of delight returns home with her priceless treasure. With her former affections reinstated, the mother is able to respond with nature's promptings to the caresses and love of her child. The bond of unity being once again firmly established, the machinations of the Devil are defeated.

Luigi Maggi
Director

Writer
Mary Cleo Tarlarini, Mirra Principi, Eugenia Torrielli
Starring

Language: None, Italian
Awards:
Country: Italy
Metacritic Score:
DVD Release Date:
Box Office Total:

Loading...