D.W. Griffith
Born
January 22, 1875
Died
July 23, 1948 (73 years old)
Known For
Directing
Place of Birth
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.
Known For
Mary Pickford a Blessing and a Curse
Self
2023
Flashback: The First World War
Self (archive footage)
2014
Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies
Self (archive footage)
2008
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Self (archive footage)
2007
The Tramp and the Dictator
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists
Self (archive footage)
1998
American Experience
Self · (1 episode)
1988
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage)
1961
San Francisco
Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
1936
1930 Prelude to "The Birth of a Nation"
Self
1930
Screen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 20)
Himself
1921
Enoch Arden
Mr. Ray
1915
Two Daughters of Eve
At Stage Door
1912
The Adventures of Billy
On Bench
1911
1776, or The Hessian Renegades
1909
At the Altar
1909
The Politician's Love Story
Man - First Couple
1909
The Girls and Daddy
At Black & Tan Ball
1909
The Heart of O Yama
Footman
1908
The Red Girl
Man on Footpath
1908
Balked at the Altar
1908
The Fatal Hour
Policeman
1908
A Calamitous Elopement
Policeman
1908
Deceived Slumming Party
Reginald O.C. Wittington
1908
The Black Viper
Rescuer
1908
The Stage Rustler
Phil Bowen
1908
The Kentuckian
1908
At the Crossroads of Life
Suitor
1908
At the French Ball
Husband
1908
The Man in the Box
Station Agent
1908
The Invisible Fluid
Mailman
1908
'Ostler Joe
Lover
1908
When Knights Were Bold
1908
The Sculptor's Nightmare
1908
The Music Master
1908
The King's Messenger
Messenger
1908
Hulda's Lovers
1908
The King of the Cannibal Islands
Cannibal in Top Hat
1908
A Famous Escape
Prisoner
1908
Old Isaacs, the Pawnbroker
Doctor, Charity Worker
1908
Caught by Wireless
Paddy
1908
Her First Adventure
Father
1908
Yellow Peril
Mr. Phlipp
1908
Cupid’s Pranks
1908
The Princess in the Vase
Lover
1908
Classmates
Extra
1908
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest
Father
1908
Falsely Accused!
Cop in Court
1908
Professional Jealousy
Extra on stage
1908