
A Life in the Balance
1915, English. Directed by J.P. McGowan.
King attempts to tighten the brake of a freight car standing near the summit of a steep grade at Lone Point. Suddenly, the brake chain snaps and the train commences to roll down hill. Helen sees King's peril, rides to a point just before a curve, crawls hand over hand across a rope which she has stretched across the track, and snatches King from the car moments before the car is dashed to pieces as it leaves the rails of the curve.
- Runtime
- 0h 12m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
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A Life in the Balance isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 3 April 1915.
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Part of a series
The Hazards of Helen: watch order
Cast & crew
Details
- Released
- 3 April 1915
- Country
- United States of America
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
Watch before A Life in the Balance
In release order. The films it follows, and anything it builds on.

The Fast Mail's Danger
1915
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The Little Engineer
1915
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The Hazards of Helen: Episode13, The Escape on the Fast Freight
1915 · 5.8/10
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The Red Signal
1915
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The Engineer's Peril
1915
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The Open Drawbridge
1915
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The Death Train
1915
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The Night Operator at Buxton
1915
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The Railroad Raiders of '62
1915
NewEarlier in the series

The Girl at Lone Point
1915
NewEarlier in the series
After A Life in the Balance
What comes next in the series.

The Girl on the Trestle
1915
NewNext in the series

The Girl Engineer
1915
NewNext in the series

A Race for a Crossing
1915
NewNext in the series

The Box Car Trap
1915
NewNext in the series

The Hazards of Helen Ep26: The Wild Engine
1915 · 6.0/10
NewNext in the series

The Fiend at the Throttle
1915
NewNext in the series
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A Life in the Balance: quick answers
What should I watch before A Life in the Balance?
Watch The Death Train (1915), The Night Operator at Buxton (1915), The Railroad Raiders of '62 (1915), and The Girl at Lone Point (1915) first, plus 6 earlier titles listed on this page.
What comes after A Life in the Balance?
Next in the series: The Girl on the Trestle (1915), The Girl Engineer (1915), and A Race for a Crossing (1915).
Is A Life in the Balance worth watching?
A Life in the Balance doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is A Life in the Balance?
A Life in the Balance runs 12 minutes (0h 12m).
Does A Life in the Balance have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for A Life in the Balance. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
A Life in the Balance parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
A Life in the Balance is rated NR in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is A Life in the Balance on?
A Life in the Balance isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 3 April 1915. (Checked 12 November 2026.)
What movies are like A Life in the Balance?
If you liked A Life in the Balance, try Black Widow, The Lady Vanishes, Cornered.
Who directed A Life in the Balance?
A Life in the Balance (1915) was directed by J.P. McGowan and stars Helen Holmes, Leo D. Maloney, George A. Williams.