The Enemy is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Fred Niblo and starring Lillian Gish, Ralph Forbes and Ralph Emerson. Actor Joel McCrea made an early appearance as an extra.

Plot

Newlywed Carl goes to war where he endures major suffering. Back home, wife Pauli starves, becomes a prostitute to survive, and their baby dies.

Cast

Censorship concern

The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, formed by the film industry in 1922, regulated the content of films through a list of subjects that were to be avoided. While Lillian Gish portrayed a prostitute in The Enemy, this was acceptable as prostitution was not explicitly barred so long as it was not forced (i.e., white slavery) and aspects of her work were not shown in the film.

Preservation

The Enemy was thought to have been lost for years until a copy was discovered at the MGM library, now owned by Turner Entertainment. However, the film is still missing its final reel.