D.W. Griffith
David Llewelyn Wark Griffith was a premier pioneering American film director. He is best known as the director of the controversial and groundbreaking 1915 film The Birth of a Nation and the subsequent film Intolerance (1916). Griffith's film The Birth of a Nation made pioneering use of advanced camera and narrative techniques, and its immense popularity set the stage for the dominance of the feature-length film. It also proved extremely controversial at the time and ever since for its negative depiction of Black Americans and their supporters, and its positive portrayal of slavery and the Ku Klux Klan. Griffith responded to his critics with his next film, Intolerance, intended to show the dangers of prejudiced thought and behavior. The film was not the financial success that its predecessor had been, but was received warmly by critics. Several of his later films were also successful, but high production, promotional, and roadshow costs often made his ventures commercial failures. Even so, he is generally considered one of the most important figures of early cinema.
Filmography (53 titles)
3.7ShowHollywood Black
Self (archive footage) · 2024
7.0MovieMary Pickford a Blessing and a Curse
Self · 2023
8.0MovieCharlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty
archive footage · 2020
9.0MovieFlashback: The First World War
Self (archive footage) · 2014
5.0MovieMary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies
Self (archive footage) · 2008
4.3MovieWhy Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Self (archive footage) · 2007
7.0MovieThe Tramp and the Dictator
Self (archive footage) (uncredited) · 2002
10.0MovieStar Power: The Creation Of United Artists
Self (archive footage) · 1998
8.0MovieThe First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
Self (archive footage) · 1995
6.0MovieThe Making of 'The Birth of a Nation'
Self (Archive footage) · 1993
6.5ShowAmerican Experience
Self · 1988
7.0MovieThe Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage) · 1961
6.6MovieSan Francisco
Orchestra Conductor (uncredited) · 1936
4.5Movie1930 Prelude to "The Birth of a Nation"
Self · 1930
MovieScreen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 20)
Himself · 1921
6.3MovieEnoch Arden
Mr. Ray · 1915
MovieTwo Daughters of Eve
At Stage Door · 1912
5.7MovieThe Adventures of Billy
On Bench · 1911
5.2Movie1776, or The Hessian Renegades
1909
4.0MovieAt the Altar
1909
4.3MovieThe Politician's Love Story
Man - First Couple · 1909
3.0MovieThe Girls and Daddy
At Black & Tan Ball · 1909
The Heart of O Yama
Footman · 1908
The Red Girl
Man on Footpath · 1908
3.3MovieBalked at the Altar
1908
2.5MovieThe Fatal Hour
Policeman · 1908
4.2MovieA Calamitous Elopement
Policeman · 1908
6.0MovieDeceived Slumming Party
Reginald O.C. Wittington · 1908
4.1MovieThe Black Viper
Rescuer · 1908
The Stage Rustler
Phil Bowen · 1908