Public Domain
The Conquering Power
1921 · Metro Pictures · Dir. Rex Ingram
Young playboy Charles Grandet is sent to live with his miserly uncle after his father loses his fortune. He and his cousin Eugenie fall in love, but his uncle sends him away and tries to arrange a marriage more to his liking (and profit!). Will true love triumph?
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The Conquering Power, directed by Rex Ingram and starring Rudolph Valentino, was released in 1921. According to the foundational rule of US copyright law, all works published prior to 1928 have entered the public domain. This transition occurred because the maximum possible term of 95 years (comprising a 28-year initial term and a 67-year renewal term) for works published in 1921 expired at the end of 2016.
Even before reaching the 95-year statutory limit, the film's copyright status was subject to the renewal requirements of the 1909 Act. Research indicates that many Metro Pictures productions from this era entered the public domain early due to non-renewal, but regardless of renewal status, the 1921 publication date serves as the definitive cutoff. As of January 1, 2017, the work is legally free of copyright restrictions in the United States.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 15a (Duration of Copyright)
- Hurst, Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (1894-1939)
- IMDb: The Conquering Power (1921)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Conquering Power (1921)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.