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

American Experience

Hollywood Black

San Francisco

Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

1776, or The Hessian Renegades

Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty

The Tramp and the Dictator

The Legend of Rudolph Valentino

All Movies (50)

• Mary Pickford a Blessing and a Curse2023 · as Self
• Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty2020 · as archive footage
• Flashback: The First World War2014 · as Self (archive footage)
• Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies2008 · as Self (archive footage)
• Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema2007 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Tramp and the Dictator2002 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists1998 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Making of 'The Birth of a Nation'1993 · as Self (Archive footage)
• The Legend of Rudolph Valentino1961 · as Self (archive footage)
• San Francisco1936 · as Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
• 1930 Prelude to "The Birth of a Nation"1930 · as Self
• Screen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 20)1921 · as Himself
• Enoch Arden1915 · as Mr. Ray
• Two Daughters of Eve1912 · as At Stage Door
• The Adventures of Billy1911 · as On Bench
• 1776, or The Hessian Renegades1909
• At the Altar1909
• The Politician's Love Story1909 · as Man - First Couple
• The Girls and Daddy1909 · as At Black & Tan Ball
• The Heart of O Yama1908 · as Footman
• The Red Girl1908 · as Man on Footpath
• Balked at the Altar1908
• The Fatal Hour1908 · as Policeman
• A Calamitous Elopement1908 · as Policeman
• Deceived Slumming Party1908 · as Reginald O.C. Wittington
• The Black Viper1908 · as Rescuer
• The Stage Rustler1908 · as Phil Bowen
• The Kentuckian1908
• At the Crossroads of Life1908 · as Suitor
• At the French Ball1908 · as Husband
• The Man in the Box1908 · as Station Agent
• The Invisible Fluid1908 · as Mailman
• 'Ostler Joe1908 · as Lover
• When Knights Were Bold1908
• The Sculptor's Nightmare1908
• The Music Master1908
• The King's Messenger1908 · as Messenger
• Hulda's Lovers1908 · as Handy Hank
• King of the Cannibal Islands1908 · as Cannibal in top hat
• A Famous Escape1908 · as Prisoner
• Old Isaacs, the Pawnbroker1908 · as Doctor, Charity worker
• Caught by Wireless1908 · as Policeman
• Her First Adventure1908 · as Father
• The Yellow Peril1908 · as Mr. Phlipp
• Cupid’s Pranks1908 · as Extra at ball
• The Princess in the Vase1908 · as Lover
• Classmates1908 · as Extra
• Rescued from an Eagle's Nest1908 · as Father
• Falsely Accused!1908 · as Cop in Court
• Professional Jealousy1908 · as Extra on stage

All TV Shows (2)

• Hollywood Black2024 · as Self (archive footage)
• American Experience1988 · as Self