THE CRUSADERS’ RETURN (Gaumont) — Length, 570 feet. Showing the departure of the crusaders to the holy wars, the armored knights and prancing chargers, departing from the castles. The leader bids farewell to his betrothed. The battle scenes. The leader is wounded and left for dead on the field. His companion escapes and brings the sad tidings to the waiting maid. In assuaging her grief, he wins her love and marries her. In the meantime, the leader is rescued by a party of his men and nursed back to life. He returns home and learning what has occurred, disguises himself as a monk and meets the lovers. His disguise is not penetrated, and he kisses her hand and departs, leaving the couple to enjoy their happiness undisturbed. The costumes are beautiful and appropriate, the dramatic effect superb, and the scenery natural.

Source: Moving Picture World

In 1908 Louis Feuillade Cité de Carcassonne to film three medieval films in open air with costumes, and "Retour du croisé" was one of them.

Knights leave for the crusade. When bidding farewell to his wife, one of them receives a necklace and a medal. In Palestine, the knight is wounded on the battlefield. Believing his death to be near, he gives his chain and his medal to his page. But he survives and the Saracens take him captive. During a revolt of the prisoners, he managed to escape, returned to France, and hurried to his castle. Anonymous, dressed as a beggar, attends the wedding of his "widow" and his page. The unfortunate goes away, his heart bruised. – First film in a "medieval" series that Louis Feuillade is shooting in Carcassonne with the support of the Aude tourist office, assisted by Etienne Arnaud as director of the second team (filming title: "Le Départ pour the crusade"). The photos from the film are converted into postcards intended, like the films, to promote the newly restored city in terms of tourism.

Source: Hervé Dumont - Translated