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The Little American

Name: The Little American
Director: Cecil B. DeMille, Joseph Levering
Released: 1917
Duration: 63 min

Representation Score

0.4/10

Minimal

1917

Not Rated

Director

Cecil B. DeMille, Joseph Levering

Runtime

63 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Little American is a traditional wartime drama that emphasizes nationalistic fervor over social complexity. Its narrative structure reinforces identity and established Western hierarchies rather than challenging them. The film relies on conventional archetypes, presenting a world of clear moral binaries. This approach limits the depth of its characters, using them primarily as symbols for patriotism or victimhood rather than nuanced individuals. Ultimately, the production reflects the homogeneous social standards of 1917. It lacks the variety and subversion of clichés needed to represent a diverse range of human experiences.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Little American have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows traditional heterosexual and cisgender relationships. It does not depict any non-cisgender identities or same-sex relationships.

How does The Little American portray gender?

Limited

The female protagonist mainly serves as a witness and symbol of innocence. Her role is defined by her connection to male protagonists and traditional protective roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Little American?

Minimal

The cast is mostly white and Anglo-Saxon, emphasizing American and French identities. The film lacks racial or ethnic diversity, reinforcing a homogeneous Western viewpoint.

How does The Little American represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The story upholds Allied wartime ideals and heightened patriotism. It does not question established social orders, religions, or capitalist systems, instead favoring a singular moral clarity.

Does The Little American include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities. Characters are portrayed through idealized wartime archetypes.

Present on Screen

The film provides a clear, dramatic lens through which to view historical wartime themes and Allied patriotism.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks racial and ethnic diversity, focusing almost exclusively on white, Western identities.
Gender roles are confined to traditional archetypes, with female roles closely tied to male characters.
The film does not include representations of LGBTQ+ identities or individuals with disabilities.
The story avoids social critique, reinforcing established hierarchies and singular moral perspectives.

Official Synopsis

A young American has her ship torpedoed by a German U-boat but makes it back to her ancestral home in France, where she witnesses German brutality firsthand.

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