Falling Leaves (1912)

As autumn descends, the world is on the brink of a remarkable breakthrough in medicine. In this transformative season, Dr. Earl Headley, a young lung specialist, is on the verge of unveiling a miraculous cure for tuberculosis. Not too far from his lab, however, the ominous shadow of the disease looms over the Thompson family, threatening to snatch away Winifred, a young woman in the prime of her life. The news devastates Winifred's mother and her younger sister Trixie, who interprets the family doctor's grim prognosis - "When the last leaf falls, she will have passed away" - in a heartbreakingly literal sense. Determined to thwart the impending tragedy, Trixie, with her childlike innocence and unshakeable love for her sister, embarks on a quaintly poetic mission. Equipped with twine and sheer will, she ventures into the garden under the cover of night, painstakingly attaching fallen leaves back onto the trees. This symbolic defiance against the arrival of winter, and the inevitable worsening of Winifred's condition, becomes Trixie's sole occupation for the ensuing months. While Trixie battles against nature and time, Dr. Headley, with his newfound serum, steps into the Thompson household, bringing with him a beacon of hope. As he administers the curative treatment, Winifred gradually regains her health, and in the process, loses her heart to the doctor, who not only heals her body but also captures her affection. With the return of her sister's vitality, Trixie finally allows herself to let the leaves fall, surrendering to the natural cycle of seasons, but only after ensuring the survival of her beloved sister. "Falling Leaves" weaves a tender tale of love, resilience, and the undying hope that blossoms even in the face of life-threatening adversity.

Falling Leaves is a drama movie featuring Mace Greenleaf.

Falling Leaves is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Criterion Channel.