The Test of Courage's primary photo
  • The Test of Courage (1914)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for The Test of Courage
The Test of Courage (1914)
Short | Short, Drama

Manuel Lopes is the head of a Mexican colony on an American ranch. Anita, Manuel's daughter, and Ramon Suarey, a young laborer, are sweethearts. Manuel is not favorable to the match. He is especially angered one day when Ramon is not able ...See moreManuel Lopes is the head of a Mexican colony on an American ranch. Anita, Manuel's daughter, and Ramon Suarey, a young laborer, are sweethearts. Manuel is not favorable to the match. He is especially angered one day when Ramon is not able to turn over to the tyrant the weekly tribute. Ed Wright, the young manager of the ranch, admires Anita. Manuel notes Ed's infatuation, and proposes that Ed marry Anita, but she revolts. Manuel, determined not to be disobeyed, locks Anita in his shack, while he goes for the village priest. Anita breaks out of the shack, goes to inform Ramon of the impending catastrophe and the two determine to run away and be married. On their way to the church Anita and Ramon run into Manuel, who is returning with the priest. Manuel takes Ramon a prisoner to the fields, where the Mexican colony is working. Manuel has determined to prepare a terrible punishment for his prisoner. He is to be slowly buried alive. The tyrant orders his Mexican subjects to dig the hole and they, not daring to run counter to Manuel's methods, obey. Anita and the priest see these preparations and recognize the terrible scheme. Terrified, Anita runs to the ranch office and begs Ed to save her lover's life. In addition to Anita's pleading the priest silently holds up a small cross before Ed's eyes. He takes his revolver belt and leaves with the girl and priest. Meanwhile. Ramon, securely bound, has been lowered into the hole in the field, and the Mexicans, under Manuel's orders, are gradually filling up the hole. Ed arrives and orders Manuel to release Ramon. The Mexican laughs insolently and draws his knife before Ed can get his revolver into play. The Mexican disarms Ed and threatens to kill him unless he keeps his promise to marry Anita. The girl jumps into the hole, determined to die with Ramon. Ed determines upon a desperate chance to test Manuel's courage. He tears open the front of his shirt, holds it back from his bare chest and dares the Mexican to strike. Manuel starts to strike, but checks himself. A haunted, desperate look comes into his eyes; he can no longer meet Ed's gaze. Anita and the other Mexicans, noting their chief's plight, crowd about. Anita calls Manuel a coward, and snatches, the knife away from him. The Mexicans, realizing that the tyrant's will is broken, begin to jeer him. Manuel, thoroughly cowed, turns and runs. Ramon is saved and Manuel's tyranny forever ended. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Status
Edit Released
Updated May 29, 1914

Release date
May 29, 1914 (United States)

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Cast

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4 cast members
Name Known for
Tom Forman
Ed Wright Ed Wright   See fewer
Dolly Larkin
Anita Lopez Anita Lopez   See fewer
Lee Shumway
Manuel Lopez - Anita's Father (as L.C. Shumway) Manuel Lopez - Anita's Father (as L.C. Shumway)   See fewer
Paul Smith
Ramon Suarez (as Paul Parr Smith) Ramon Suarez (as Paul Parr Smith)   See fewer
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