D.W. Griffith
Directing • Born 1875-01-22 – Died 1948-07-23
Biography
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
50 credits
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Movie • 1961
Self (archive footage)
Two Daughters of Eve
Movie • 1912
At Stage Door
At the Crossroads of Life
Movie • 1908
Suitor
At the French Ball
Movie • 1908
Husband
The Black Viper
Movie • 1908
Rescuer
The Fatal Hour
Movie • 1908
Policeman
The Sculptor's Nightmare
Movie • 1908
Balked at the Altar
Movie • 1908
The King of the Cannibal Islands
Movie • 1908
Cannibal in Top Hat
Her First Adventure
Movie • 1908
Father
At the Altar
Movie • 1909
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest
Movie • 1908
Father
Cupid’s Pranks
Movie • 1908
Flashback: The First World War
Movie • 2014
Self (archive footage)
Old Isaacs, the Pawnbroker
Movie • 1908
Doctor, Charity Worker
The King's Messenger
Movie • 1908
Messenger
The Invisible Fluid
Movie • 1908
Mailman
The Man in the Box
Movie • 1908
Station Agent
The Kentuckian
Movie • 1908
The Stage Rustler
Movie • 1908
Phil Bowen
Deceived Slumming Party
Movie • 1908
Reginald O.C. Wittington
The Red Girl
Movie • 1908
Man on Footpath
The Heart of O Yama
Movie • 1908
Footman
Mary Pickford a Blessing and a Curse
Movie • 2023
Self
Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies
Movie • 2008
Self (archive footage)
1930 Prelude to "The Birth of a Nation"
Movie • 1930
Self
The Music Master
Movie • 1908
Classmates
Movie • 1908
Extra
San Francisco
Movie • 1936
Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
Screen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 20)
Movie • 1921
Himself
1776, or The Hessian Renegades
Movie • 1909
The Adventures of Billy
Movie • 1911
On Bench
Caught by Wireless
Movie • 1908
Paddy
Yellow Peril
Movie • 1908
Mr. Phlipp
Enoch Arden
Movie • 1915
Mr. Ray
Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists
Movie • 1998
Self (archive footage)
The Tramp and the Dictator
Movie • 2002
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Hulda's Lovers
Movie • 1908
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Movie • 2007
Self (archive footage)
Falsely Accused!
Movie • 1908
Cop in Court
The Politician's Love Story
Movie • 1909
Man - First Couple
A Calamitous Elopement
Movie • 1908
Policeman
The Girls and Daddy
Movie • 1909
At Black & Tan Ball
When Knights Were Bold
Movie • 1908
The Princess in the Vase
Movie • 1908
Lover
Professional Jealousy
Movie • 1908
Extra on stage
A Famous Escape
Movie • 1908
Prisoner
'Ostler Joe
Movie • 1908
Lover
Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty
Movie • 2020
archive footage
American Experience
TV • 1988
Self