Renee is a French artist's model who uses morphine as an escape from the dull reality of her life. She recommends it to a neurotic artist because "it kindles the fires of genius." The artist quickly becomes addicted to the drug and the quality of his work begins to disintegrate. He takes on a new model, marries her, and starts her on the same path of moral degradation, until a guilt-ridden Renee decides to intervene in order to save them both. According to silent film historian Kevin Brownlow, THE DEVIL'S NEEDLE was banned by the state of Ohio, but the censor board reversed its decision after recognizing the positive message beneath the film's scandalous surface. This special edition was mastered from a 35mm preservation print of the 1923 re-release version. The only known surviving copy, the element suffers significant nitrate decomposition during some scenes.
Release Date: August 12, 1916
October 26, 2012
October 02, 2009
March 09, 1984
December 17, 2002
April 22, 2023
April 10, 2021
April 23, 2001
May 02, 1997
March 09, 1984
April 13, 2000
October 20, 2009
April 22, 2005
August 09, 1996
February 23, 1996
October 15, 1998
October 14, 2005
October 01, 1993
October 01, 2007
May 13, 2005
September 18, 2007
