You are here:

The Unbeliever

Name: The Unbeliever
Director: Alan Crosland
Released: 1918
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

1918

Not Rated

Director

Alan Crosland

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Unbeliever serves as a transitional narrative that aims to dismantle the social prejudices of its era. By placing a character bred for class distinction into the trenches of WWI, the film uses the shared trauma of war to strip away traditional social stratifications. While the film makes progress in addressing racial intolerance and class-based hierarchies, it remains limited by the era's perspectives. The focus is almost entirely on the masculine military experience, leaving little room for gender diversity or multi-layered complexity. Ultimately, the film's strength lies in its thematic movement from systemic intolerance toward a recognition of human equality, even if it lacks modern nuance.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Unbeliever have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any non-straight relationships or identities. There are no narratives that question the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does The Unbeliever portray gender?

Limited

The story focuses heavily on the masculine experience of war and military brotherhood. It does not explore female empowerment or challenge traditional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Unbeliever?

Fair

The narrative explicitly addresses racial intolerance as a character flaw. The protagonist's journey moves toward recognizing universal equality and shared humanity.

How does The Unbeliever represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques rigid social hierarchies and class distinctions. It emphasizes a humanist brotherhood over nationalistic or class-based superiority.

Does The Unbeliever include disability representation?

Minimal

The protagonist is wounded during the war, but it is unclear if disability is explored deeply. It may simply serve as a plot device for character growth.

Present on Screen

The narrative actively challenges racial intolerance and class-based hierarchies.
It promotes a humanist worldview centered on equality and brotherhood.
The protagonist undergoes a meaningful moral transformation regarding social superiority.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation of female empowerment or gender diversity.
There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ identities or narratives.
Disability is potentially used as a plot device rather than explored with ability to act.

Official Synopsis

A wealthy young American, bred to class distinction and racial intolerance, enters the Marines during the First World War. In the course of his training and his experiences in the trenches fighting, being wounded by, and being hospitalized with Germans, he comes to a recognition of the equality and brotherhood of men.

How are these scores produced? →