Carmen

Carmen is a 1915 American silent drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The film is based on the novella Carmen by Prosper Mérimée. The existing versions of this film appear to be from the re-edited 1918 re-release. Plot Don José, an officer of the law, is seduced by the gypsy girl Carmen, in order to facilitate her clan's smuggling endeavors. Don José becomes obsessed, turning to violent crime himself in order to keep her attention. Cast Geraldine Farrar as Carmen Wallace Reid as Don José Pedro de Cordoba as Escamillo Horace B. Carpenter as Pastia William Elmer as Morales Jeanie Macpherson as Gypsy girl Anita King as Gypsy girl Milton Brown as Garcia Tex Driscoll Raymond Hatton as Spectator at Bullfight (uncredited) Production DeMille had intended to film a musical version of Georges Bizet's opera Carmen; however, its libretto was under copyright, so DeMille instructed his screenwriter brother William to base his scenario on the public domain novella Carmen by Prosper Mérimée. The novella's Carmen was more wilful and manipulative than the opera version. For instance, William included a cigarette factory fight scene from the book which was not found in the opera.