Discover a moving story of compassion across enemy lines with Barbed Wire (1927), starring Pola Negri and Clive Brook. Set during World War I, this silent romantic drama follows a French farm girl whose feelings for a German prisoner challenge the bitterness surrounding her. Directed by Rowland V. Lee, with uncredited direction by Mauritz Stiller, the film explores love, prejudice and the human cost of war.

Barbed Wire (1927) Pola Negri Clive Brook Silent War Romance Classic DVD

FEATURES

• Classic 1927 Silent Romantic War Drama


• Starring Pola Negri


• Starring Clive Brook


• Featuring Claude Gillingwater and Einar Hanson


• Directed by Rowland V. Lee


• Uncredited Direction by Mauritz Stiller


• Based on The Woman of Knockaloe by Hall Caine


• World War I Setting


• A Story of Love, Compassion and Reconciliation


• Silent Film with English Intertitles


• Black & White Presentation


• With Cover Art

STORY SUMMARY

As World War I separates families and turns neighboring nations into enemies, Mona Moreau remains on her family's French farm with her father after her brother leaves to serve.

The war soon reaches their doorstep when the military uses the property to hold German prisoners. To Mona, the men behind the wire initially represent the enemy responsible for her family's suffering.

Her feelings begin to change when she gets to know Oskar Muller, a prisoner whose kindness challenges her assumptions. As their connection deepens, sympathy grows into a love that neither the camp's boundaries nor national loyalties can easily accommodate.

Hostility from those around them places Mona and Oskar under increasing pressure. Their relationship forces painful questions about loyalty, grief and whether individuals must share the hatred of the nations fighting around them.

Through its intimate wartime romance, Barbed Wire offers a plea for understanding in a world divided by conflict.

GENRE

Genre: Movie

Subgenre: Silent Film / Romance / War / Drama / Historical / Classic Hollywood

ACTORS

Pola Negri

Clive Brook

Claude Gillingwater

Einar Hanson

Clyde Cook

Gustav von Seyffertitz

Charles Willis Lane

Ben Hendricks Jr.

DIRECTOR

Rowland V. Lee

Mauritz Stiller (uncredited)

FILM INFORMATION

Title: Barbed Wire

Year: 1927

Director: Rowland V. Lee

Additional Direction: Mauritz Stiller, uncredited

Screenplay: Jules Furthman

Adaptation: Rowland V. Lee

Based On: The Woman of Knockaloe by Hall Caine

Producers: Rowland V. Lee and Erich Pommer, uncredited

Stars: Pola Negri and Clive Brook

Cinematography: Bert Glennon

Production Company: Famous Players-Lasky

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Reference Runtime: Approximately 79 Minutes; versions and playback speeds vary

Country: United States

Original Format: Silent with English Intertitles

DVD SPECS

Media: DVD-R

Video: NTSC

Region: Region 0

Film Format: Silent

Intertitles: English

Presentation: Black & White

DVD Display Format: 4:3

Reference Runtime: Approximately 79 Minutes; actual runtime depends on the transfer

Artwork: With Cover Art

Compatibility: Please confirm your DVD player supports NTSC DVD-R.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Pola Negri plays Mona Moreau, while Clive Brook portrays German prisoner Oskar Muller.


• The film adapts Hall Caine's 1923 novel The Woman of Knockaloe.


• The novel takes place on the Isle of Man, while the film relocates the story to Normandy, France.


• Its central romance explores the conflict between personal compassion and wartime hostility.


• Mauritz Stiller is listed in film references for uncredited direction.


• Bert Glennon served as cinematographer.


• Reported runtimes differ between sources and editions, a common issue with silent films shown at different playback speeds.

SHIPPING

Processing time is 3–5 business days. Delivery is typically 3–5 business days after shipping. Tracking information is provided by email.

PUBLIC DOMAIN RESEARCH

As a film published in 1927, the original Barbed Wire motion picture entered the public domain in the United States on January 1, 2023, following expiration of its maximum copyright term.

Later musical scores, recordings, newly created artwork and additional material may carry separate copyrights. Verify the rights associated with the specific edition used. Copyright status outside the United States may differ.