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
Acting

1961
asSelf (archive footage)

1912
asAt Stage Door

1908
asHusband

1908
asSuitor

1908
asRescuer

1908
as
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asPoliceman

1908
as
1908
asCannibal in Top Hat

1908
asFather

1909
as
1908
asFather

1908
as
2014
asSelf (archive footage)

1908
asMessenger

1908
asDoctor, Charity Worker

1908
asStation Agent

1908
asReginald O.C. Wittington

1908
as
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asMailman

1908
asPhil Bowen

1908
asFootman

1908
asMan on Footpath

2023
asSelf

2008
asSelf (archive footage)

1930
asSelf

1908
as
1908
asExtra

1936
asOrchestra Conductor (uncredited)

1921
asHimself

1909
as
1911
asOn Bench

1908
asPaddy

1908
asMr. Phlipp

1915
asMr. Ray

1998
asSelf (archive footage)

2002
asSelf (archive footage) (uncredited)

1908
as
2007
asSelf (archive footage)

1908
asCop in Court

1909
asMan - First Couple

1908
asPoliceman

1908
as
1909
asAt Black & Tan Ball

1908
asLover

1908
asExtra on stage

1908
asPrisoner

1908
asLover
asSelf
Production

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asCrew
Directing

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1926
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