Vidor issued his “Creed and Pledge” in Variety magazine shortly before directing The Jack-Knife Man, a manifesto of his artistic and social ideals inspired by the precepts of  Christian Science : 
I believe in the motion picture that carries a message to humanity.

I believe in the picture that will help humanity to free itself from the shackles of fear and suffering that have so long bound it in chains.

I will not knowingly produce a picture that contains anything that i do not believe to be absolutely true to human nature, anything that could injure anyone or anything unclean in thought or action.
Nor will I deliberately portray anything to cause fright, suggest fear, glorify mischief, condone cruelty or extenuate malice.

I will never picture evil or wrong, except to prove the fallacy of its line.

So long as I direct pictures, i will make only those founded on the principles of right, and I will endeavor to draw upon the inexhaustible source of good for my stories, my guidance and my inspiration.

A story of human redemption, the protagonists are rewarded with ultimate success, but only after a bitter struggle with nature in a desolate and threatening landscape, reflecting Vidor’s own “ambivalence towards nature”.

Despite a number of humorous interludes and the happy ending, the overall effect of the film is one of “relentless realism”.
Vidor issued his “Creed and Pledge” in Variety magazine shortly before directing The Jack-Knife Man, a manifesto of his artistic and social ideals inspired by the precepts of  Christian Science : 
I believe in the motion picture that carries a message to humanity.
I believe in the picture that will help humanity to free itself from the shackles of fear and suffering that have so long bound it in chains.
I will not knowingly produce a picture that contains anything that i do not believe to be absolutely true to human nature, anything that could injure anyone or anything unclean in thought or action.Nor will I deliberately portray anything to cause fright, suggest fear, glorify mischief, condone cruelty or extenuate malice.
I will never picture evil or wrong, except to prove the fallacy of its line.
So long as I direct pictures, i will make only those founded on the principles of right, and I will endeavor to draw upon the inexhaustible source of good for my stories, my guidance and my inspiration.
A story of human redemption, the protagonists are rewarded with ultimate success, but only after a bitter struggle with nature in a desolate and threatening landscape, reflecting Vidor’s own “ambivalence towards nature”. 
Despite a number of humorous interludes and the happy ending, the overall effect of the film is one of “relentless realism”.
The Jack-Knife Man