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D.W. Griffith

D.W. Griffith

Director & actor · born 22 January 1875 · LaGrange, Kentucky, USA

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.

Where to start: Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages (1916).

As director 467

As actor 47

TV shows 2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best D.W. Griffith movie?

By viewer score, Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages (1916) at 7.1/10.

What are D.W. Griffith’s most popular movies?

The Birth of a Nation, Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages, Broken Blossoms or The Yellow Man and the Girl.

How many movies has D.W. Griffith made?

514 films on TMDB, 467 as director, 47 as actor.

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