The Destroyers

Canadian Mountie Philip Curtis is telling Josephine McCloud, with whom he is in love, about a hermit who once saved his life and nursed him back to health. Josephine remains impassive until Philip tells her the hermit's name: Peter God. At the mention of his name, Josephine begs Philip to find Peter and take him a letter she had written to him. Puzzled but not wanting to deny anything to the woman he loves, he sets out to find Peter, but when he does he discovers that Josephine has a connection to Peter that Philip knew nothing about.

Directed by Ralph Ince, The Destroyers leans on a strong ensemble — Lucille Lee Stewart, Huntley Gordon, John S. Robertson — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1916.