D.W. Griffith
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.
Known For
Self (archive footage)
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
At Stage Door
Two Daughters of Eve
Husband
At the French Ball
Suitor
At the Crossroads of Life
Rescuer
The Black Viper
The Sculptor's Nightmare
Policeman
The Fatal Hour
Balked at the Altar
Cannibal in Top Hat
King of the Cannibal Islands
Father
Her First Adventure
At the Altar
Father
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest
Cupid’s Pranks
Self (archive footage)
Flashback: The First World War
Messenger
The King's Messenger
Doctor, Charity Worker
Old Isaacs, the Pawnbroker
Mailman
The Invisible Fluid
Station Agent
The Man in the Box
The Kentuckian
Phil Bowen
The Stage Rustler
Reginald O.C. Wittington
Deceived Slumming Party
Man on Footpath
The Red Girl
Footman
The Heart of O Yama
Self
Mary Pickford une légende et une malédiction hollywoodiennes
Self (archive footage)
Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies
Self
1930 Prelude to "The Birth of a Nation"
The Music Master
Extra
Classmates
Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
San Francisco
Himself
Screen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 20)
1776, or The Hessian Renegades
On Bench
The Adventures of Billy
Paddy
Caught by Wireless
Mr. Phlipp
Yellow Peril
Mr. Ray
Enoch Arden
Self (archive footage)
Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Tramp and the Dictator
Hulda's Lovers
Self (archive footage)
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Cop in Court
Falsely Accused!
Man - First Couple
The Politician's Love Story
Policeman
A Calamitous Elopement
At Black & Tan Ball
The Girls and Daddy
When Knights Were Bold
Lover
The Princess in the Vase
Personal Info
Known For
Directing
Known Credits
45
Gender
Male
Birthday
1875-01-22
Place of Birth
LaGrange, Kentucky, USA
Also Known As
David Llewelyn Wark Griffith