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