The Prodigal Son (1923 film)

The Prodigal Son is a 1923 British silent historical film directed by A. E. Coleby and starring Stewart Rome, Henry Victor and Edith Bishop. The film is an adaptation of Hall Caine's 1904 novel The Prodigal Son, set in Iceland and the French Riviera. It was noted as a long film, reported variously at three^[2] or over four hours.^[3] The film's original release length as 18,454 feet made it the longest commercially made British film.^[4] It was shown in two consecutive parts, the second part being entitled The Return of the Prodigal.^[5]

It was shot on location in Iceland, with a final budget of £37,000.^[6] The film was not a commercial success on its release, and was attacked by critics. It was perhaps the biggest failure of all the films released by Stoll Pictures, the largest British film company of the early 1920s.^[7] However, the film was re-released in 1929 with a greatly reduced running time.^[8]