Kato Kaelin
Television personality, film actor
D.W. Griffith was a pioneering American film director who made some of the most influential and controversial movies in early cinema. While he is best known for directing the groundbreaking yet problematic film ‘The Birth of a Nation’, he also founded the United Artists studio and created several other acclaimed silent films before the industry shifted to talkies.
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About the D. W. Griffith
David Wark Griffithwas an American film director. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the motion picture, he pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the narrative film.
To modern audiences, Griffith is known primarily for directing the 1915 film The Birth of a Nation. One of the most financially successful films of all time and considered a landmark by film historians, it has attracted much controversy for its degrading portrayals of African Americans, its glorification of the Ku Klux Klan and support for the Confederacy. The film led to riots in several major cities all over the United States, and the NAACP attempted to have it banned. Griffith made his next film Intoleranceas an answer to critics, who he felt unfairly maligned his work.
Together with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks, Griffith founded the studio United Artists in 1919 with the goal of enabling actors and directors to make films on their own terms as opposed to the terms of commercial studios. Several of Griffith’s later films were successful, including Broken Blossoms (1919), Way Down East (1920), and Orphans of the Storm (1921), but the high costs he incurred for production and promotion often led to commercial failure. He had made roughly 500 films by the time of The Struggle (1931), his final feature, and all but three were completely silent.
Frequently Asked Questions
D.W. Griffith was an American film director who is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of motion pictures. He pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the narrative film.
D.W. Griffith’s most famous film was the 1915 release ‘The Birth of a Nation’, which was one of the most financially successful films of all time but also attracted significant controversy for its degrading portrayals of African Americans and glorification of the Ku Klux Klan.
D.W. Griffith made his next film ‘Intolerance’ in 1916 as an answer to critics who he felt had unfairly maligned his work on ‘The Birth of a Nation’.
D.W. Griffith co-founded the United Artists studio in 1919 with the goal of enabling actors and directors to make films on their own terms, as opposed to the terms of commercial studios.
D.W. Griffith had made roughly 500 films by the time of his final feature ‘The Struggle’ in 1931, and all but three were completely silent.
5 Quotes by D. W. Griffith
- 1.
It takes two years on the stage for an actor or an actress to learn how to speak correctly and to manage his voice properly, and it takes about ten years to master the subtle art of being able to hold one’s audience.
D. W. GriffithAmerican filmmaker (1875-1948)
- 2.
Now supposing I had the part of a young woman to give out, one that wanted some excellent acting. If I were to go to the stage for my actress I would have to take a matured woman, one who would act splendidly, but who would look too old for the requirements.
D. W. GriffithAmerican filmmaker (1875-1948)
- 3.
I pick out young people and teach them in less time than it would take me to alter the methods of people from the boards, and I get actors who look the parts they have to fill.
D. W. GriffithAmerican filmmaker (1875-1948)
- 4.
Well, I certainly did not think that I could do worse.
D. W. GriffithAmerican filmmaker (1875-1948)
- 5.
I am fond of depicting the lives of young folks for one thing, and if you have parts for girls or young men, you must absolutely have young people to fill them – that is generally acknowledged now.
D. W. GriffithAmerican filmmaker (1875-1948)