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D.W. Griffith

Born · January 22, 1875

Died · July 23, 1948 (73 years old)

Known For: Directing

Place of Birth: LaGrange, Kentucky, USA

Bio

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

San Francisco

San Francisco

Rescued from an Eagle's Nest

Rescued from an Eagle's Nest

American Experience

American Experience

The Tramp and the Dictator

The Tramp and the Dictator

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