The Wonderful Chance (1920) in Color — Starring Eugene O'Brien & Martha Mansfield

The Wonderful Chance (1920) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover The Wonderful Chance, the 1920 crime drama directed by George Fitzmaurice and starring Rod La Rocque, now available as a professionally colorized version. Upon leaving prison, an ex con vows to go straight, but circumstances force him to return to crime. Meanwhile, a gang of crooks kidnaps a visiting British aristocrat, but the ex-con has an incredible likeness to the Englishman, and his intended hosts take him home to their mansion. This crime drama combines elements of mistaken identity, redemption, and the complications of trying to escape one’s criminal past. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

Upon leaving prison, an ex con vows to go straight, but circumstances force him to return to crime. The ex-convict, having served his time and determined to reform, leaves prison with the sincere intention of living an honest life. However, the challenges of finding legitimate employment with a criminal record, combined with the economic pressures of post-World War I America, make his path to rehabilitation difficult.

Meanwhile, a gang of crooks kidnaps a visiting British aristocrat, but the ex-con has an incredible likeness to the Englishman, and his intended hosts take him home to their mansion. The aristocrat, visiting America for business or pleasure, becomes the target of a kidnapping plot by criminals seeking ransom. When the ex-con, who bears a remarkable resemblance to the aristocrat, encounters the situation, he is mistaken for the kidnapped man and taken to the mansion where the aristocrat was supposed to stay.

The mistaken identity creates a complex situation where the ex-con must decide whether to take advantage of the opportunity to live as an aristocrat or to reveal the truth and help resolve the kidnapping. His criminal past gives him insights into the kidnappers’ methods, potentially making him valuable in resolving the situation. The film builds to a climax where the ex-con must choose between returning to crime or using his knowledge to do the right thing, possibly redeeming himself in the process.

Cast & Crew

Director: George Fitzmaurice

Stars: Rod La Rocque, Irene Castle, Charles A. Stevenson, Charles K. Gerrard, Warren Cook

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The Wonderful Chance was originally filmed in black and white, with cinematography that captured the contrast between the criminal underworld and the elegant world of the aristocracy. This professionally colorized restoration enhances every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the gritty streets where the ex-con struggles to find honest work to the luxurious mansion where he is mistaken for the aristocrat. The colorized version reveals new visual richness in the film’s settings, where the period-accurate 1920s clothing, criminal underworld environments, and aristocratic mansions gain authenticity that transports viewers to post-World War I America. Rod La Rocque’s screen presence gains additional dimension in color, his performance conveying the moral conflict of a man torn between his criminal past and his desire for redemption. Now also available in colour.

Buy The Wonderful Chance in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1920, The Wonderful Chance represents the crime drama genre of the silent era and the exploration of themes of redemption and social rehabilitation. The film was released during a period when America was grappling with questions of criminal justice and the challenges of reintegrating former prisoners into society. The story of an ex-con trying to go straight but facing obstacles that push him back toward crime reflects the real-world difficulties of rehabilitation in an unforgiving society.

The mistaken identity premise, a classic device in literature and film, allows the story to explore themes of identity and social class. The ex-con’s resemblance to an aristocrat and his ability to pass as a member of high society comment on the arbitrary nature of social distinctions. The film suggests that character rather than birth should determine a person’s worth, a theme that resonated with audiences in an era when social mobility was becoming more possible.

Director George Fitzmaurice was known for his sophisticated visual style and his ability to create compelling dramas with complex moral themes. The film’s release in 1920, at the beginning of the Jazz Age, reflects the cinema’s engagement with the social changes of the period, including questions about criminal justice, social class, and the possibility of personal redemption. Through modern colorization, this crime drama reaches new audiences who can appreciate Rod La Rocque’s performance, its exploration of redemption and identity, and its place in the history of silent cinema. Now also available en couleur.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Silent with musical score
• Runtime: 70 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Who stars in The Wonderful Chance?
A: Rod La Rocque stars as the ex-con, with supporting performances by Irene Castle, Charles A. Stevenson, Charles K. Gerrard, and Warren Cook.

Q: Is The Wonderful Chance a crime drama?
A: Yes, the film is a crime drama that explores themes of redemption, mistaken identity, and the challenges of escaping a criminal past.

Q: What is the plot of The Wonderful Chance?
A: An ex-con trying to go straight is mistaken for a kidnapped British aristocrat and must decide whether to take advantage of the situation or help resolve the kidnapping.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

Related Colorized Classics

• Let Freedom Ring (1939)
• Forbidden Games (1952)
• The Painted Desert (1931)
• The Informer (1929)
• Station Six-Sahara (1963)