This film from "Film d’Arte Italiana" a Pathé company, is about the Samaritan woman that Jesus meets at Jacob's well. We follow the story from the bible in 14 tableaux. It begins with Jesus performing miracles in Jerusalem, and from there he travels to a town in Samaria where Jesus meets the woman and asks her for a drink. She first refuses, but when she gets to know that Jesus is the Messiah, she runs to the city and tells everyone to bring them to hear Jesus.

The film was first released and shown in Paris, June 10th, and then distributed to various countries. There is no trace of the film having a screening in Italy where it was made.

The scenes open with Jesus in the act of performing miracles before leaving Jerusalem with His disciples. He passes through Samaria, where the people mock both Him and His followers, and finally He comes to Jacob's well. Here, wearied with His journey, he seats Himself, while the disciples go into the town to buy food. To the well also comes a Samaritan woman to draw water, end Jesus asks her to moisten His parched lips. The woman at first refuses, protesting that the Samaritans can have no dealings with the Jews, but the words of the Stranger proving to her that she is speaking to the Messiah, she raises her pitcher so that He may drink. She then runs into the city to announce the news, afterwards returning to the well to beg Jesus to accompany her to her own people, whose slower moving feet she has outstripped. Jesus complies, and the Samaritans, whose mockery and incredulity die away on their lips as they perceive the Messiah, acclaim Him joyfully.

Source: Moving Picture World

A Pathe Hand-Colored Religious Subject of Surpassing Beauty and Reverence

It is almost superfluous to add words of praise in describing a Pathe religious subject. Of the numerous pictures of this character produced by Pathe all have been examples of the highest degree of the picture maker's art from a technical point of view, and at the same time, have possessed a certain dignity and reverence of subject that has placed them fairly in the category of religious teachings. In this respect the latest production of this character is no exception.

"The Woman of Samaria" is adapted from the fourth chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, and follows the text of the Scripture very closely. According to the story Jesus is compelled to leave Judea because of a violent controversy upon the question of baptism, and sets out for Galilee, passing through Samaria. The opening scene shows the departure of the Saviour and his disciples from Judea, at which time he causes the lame to walk and the blind to see.

Following the steps of Christ and his disciples the picture leads one to the towns in Samaria and thence to Jacob's Well, where a stop was made for rest and refreshment. The party had not been well received while -passing through the Samarian village, and the disciples were in a disputatious frame of mind when the stop was made. Christ quiets them and then sends them on a search for food. During their absence the Samarian woman comes to the well for water. He convinces her that he is the Messiah and she hastens back to the town to tell the people. Subsequently the Samarians receive Christ and he remains among them for two days teaching and healing the sick.

Many beautiful scenes testify to the great care the producers have taken to make this subject a work of art. There is dignity in the portrayal of the revered personality of the Savu ur, and the characteristics of the several disciples are so marked as to be distinguishable to students of the Bible. These features will not fail to claim the attention of teachers of religion and to add "The Woman of Samaria" to the list of photoplays suitable for church and Sunday-school use.

Source: The Film Index