Sparrows

Play trailer

Sparrows

Released Sep 19, 1926

1h 28m

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

Tomatometer

4 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Molly (Mary Pickford) is the eldest resident of a prison-like orphanage run by the abusive Mr. Grimes (Gustave von Seyffertitz), his neglectful wife (Charlotte Mineau) and their diabolical son, Ambrose ("Spec" O'Donnell). When Mr. Grimes becomes involved in a kidnapping plot, Molly realizes she must somehow escape, and struggles to lead the younger children to freedom through the treacherous swamps that surround the orphanage where they have all been enslaved.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Kathy Fennessy

Video Librarian Magazine

This sparkling restoration from the Library of Congress brings out the beauty in a richly atmospheric film that proves equally pulse-pounding and heart-rending.

Rated: 4.5/5

Mar 4, 2022

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 14, 2005

Full Review

Bob Bloom

Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

One of Pickford's finet films with touches of humor, thrills and suspense.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 25, 2002

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Grim and creepy enough to almost be a horror film--marred by Pickford's religiosity

Rated: 4/5

Jul 30, 2002

Full Review

Read all reviews

Josh G

Touching, Heart warming film making with great performances. It's use of negative space is incredible and the clear and sharp sets and focus is wonderful. The way the story moves from gentle story telling to an action finally is well directed. Great Silent Film, Great Film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/27/23

Full Review

Isaiah Y

I would recommend this film to anyone interested in silent films. This may be Mary Pickford's finest performance of her career.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/23/20

Full Review

Audience Member

The best inspiring movie ever made! With the best movie character ever portrayed: Mary Pickford as Molly!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

david l

Sparrows has a decidedly weak characterization of the kids, but the plot is interesting, the film has a lot of heart, the acting as well as the directing are pretty good, the suspenseful sequences are so well executed and the movie is so well filmed with the swamp being gorgeous to look at.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

one of the BEST silents,and a great movie of ALL time !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

gr8 cast makes this go

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

William Beaudine

Director

Mary Pickford

Molly

Gustave von Seyffertitz

Mr. Grimes

Roy Stewart

Dennis Wayne

Mary Louise Miller

Doris Wayne (the baby)

Charlotte Mineau

Mrs. Grimes

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

View more photos

Synopsis

Molly (Mary Pickford) is the eldest resident of a prison-like orphanage run by the abusive Mr. Grimes (Gustave von Seyffertitz), his neglectful wife (Charlotte Mineau) and their diabolical son, Ambrose ("Spec" O'Donnell). When Mr. Grimes becomes involved in a kidnapping plot, Molly realizes she must somehow escape, and struggles to lead the younger children to freedom through the treacherous swamps that surround the orphanage where they have all been enslaved.

Director: William Beaudine
Producer: Mary Pickford
Screenwriter: Winifred Dunn, C. Gardner Sullivan
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., LS Video, United Artists, Milestone Film & Video, Grapevine Video, Sinister Cinema, Kino Video
Production Co: Pickford Corporation
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 1926, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 16, 2016
Runtime: 1h 28m
Aspect Ratio: Academy (1.33:1), 35mm

Most Popular at Home Now