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Plot
In the shadowy realm of envy and transgression, "The Burglar’s Dilemma" (1912) weaves a thrilling story that teeters on the precipice of morality and guilt. The tale unfolds in a house of two brothers, one a successful novelist, the other a resentful author, seething in the embers of jealousy. A night of excessive wine consumption fuels a heated quarrel, culminating in a blow that silences the successful author, leaving his envious sibling to confront the chilling stillness of his brother's lifeless body. In a fit of terror, he flees the scene, leaving behind an eerie silence disrupted by an unexpected intrusion.
A young boy, caught in the clutches of a calculating burglar, is pushed into this labyrinth of guilt and fear. Forced to enter the house through a window, he stumbles upon the lifeless body in the quiet darkness, a chilling sight that illumines under his dropped torchlight. Seized by a sudden inspiration, the guilty author locks the boy in the room, summoning the police to a crime he himself committed. The young intruder, cornered and terrified, cannot escape the impending doom.
As the police arrive, they subject the boy to the ruthless third degree, while the true perpetrator stands by, watching another bear the brunt of his actions. Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, a glimmer of hope sparks as an ambulance doctor tirelessly works over the 'dead' man's body. The seemingly lifeless author miraculously revives, his appearance stunning everyone in the room. The relief washes over the boy, the guilt stricken brother stares in disbelief, and the law enforcement officers, their mission accomplished, leave the scene.
"The Burglar’s Dilemma" is a compelling exploration of guilt, manipulation, and the contentious nature of the third degree and circumstantial evidence. It presents a vivid, thought-provoking portrayal of these controversial judicial practices, leaving viewers to question their implications for justice and morality. In the end, the boy is liberated from his life of crime, while the guilty brother is left to confront his own sins, a potent reminder of the weight of our actions and the unforgiving mirror of conscience.
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The Burglar’s Dilemma is a crime movie featuring Lionel Barrymore.
The Burglar’s Dilemma is currently streaming on IndieFlix.