The Lesser Evil (1912): cast, story & where to watch
1912 · Film · ★ 5.2
Released in 1912, The Lesser Evil is a drama film directed by D.W. Griffith, running about 14 minutes. “A RACE TO THE RESCUE ON THE HIGH SEAS...” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A young woman's peaceful existence is shattered when she is abducted by the crew of a boat of smugglers, who then also turn against their captain.
Who’s in it. The Lesser Evil stars Blanche Sweet as The Young Woman, Edwin August as The Young Woman's Sweetheart, Mae Marsh as The Young Woman's Companion and Alfred Paget as The Leader of the Smugglers, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.2/10, The Lesser Evil has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Lesser Evil page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Lesser Evil tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Lesser Evil (1912)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Lesser Evil change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Lesser Evil worth watching?
- The Lesser Evil holds an audience score of 5.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Lesser Evil?
- The Lesser Evil stars Blanche Sweet, Edwin August, Mae Marsh, Alfred Paget and Charles Hill Mailes.
- When was The Lesser Evil released?
- The Lesser Evil was released in 1912, with a runtime of about 14 minutes.