D.W. Griffith
Known for: Directing
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.
Filmography
Series
American Experience
Self
1988
Series
Hollywood Black
Self (archive footage)
2024
Film
San Francisco
Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
1936
Film
The Tramp and the Dictator
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
Film
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Self (archive footage)
2007
Film
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage)
1961
Film
1776, or The Hessian Renegades
1909
Film
Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies
Self (archive footage)
2008
Film
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest
Father
1908
Film
Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty
archive footage
2020
Film
At the Altar
1909
Film
The Fatal Hour
Policeman
1908
Film
Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists
Self (archive footage)
1998
Film
Enoch Arden
Mr. Ray
1915
Film
When Knights Were Bold
1908
The King of the Cannibal Islands
Cannibal in Top Hat
1908
Film
The Invisible Fluid
Mailman
1908
Film
Two Daughters of Eve
At Stage Door
1912
Film
Flashback: The First World War
Self (archive footage)
2014
The Man in the Box
Station Agent
1908
Film
The Adventures of Billy
On Bench
1911
Classmates
Extra
1908
Film
The Black Viper
Rescuer
1908
Film
Mary Pickford a Blessing and a Curse
Self
2023
Film
Balked at the Altar
1908
Film
Screen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 20)
Himself
1921
A Famous Escape
Prisoner
1908
Film
Cupid’s Pranks
1908
The Heart of O Yama
Footman
1908
At the Crossroads of Life
Suitor
1908
Professional Jealousy
Extra on stage
1908
Film
The Politician's Love Story
Man - First Couple
1909
The Kentuckian
1908
Film
Falsely Accused!
Cop in Court
1908
Film
The Sculptor's Nightmare
1908
At the French Ball
Husband
1908
Film
A Calamitous Elopement
Policeman
1908
Film
The Girls and Daddy
At Black & Tan Ball
1909
The Red Girl
Man on Footpath
1908
The Princess in the Vase
Lover
1908
'Ostler Joe
Lover
1908
Film
1930 Prelude to "The Birth of a Nation"
Self
1930
The King's Messenger
Messenger
1908
Caught by Wireless
Paddy
1908
Yellow Peril
Mr. Phlipp
1908
Film
Her First Adventure
Father
1908
Hulda's Lovers
1908
Film
Deceived Slumming Party
Reginald O.C. Wittington
1908
Film
The Making of 'The Birth of a Nation'
Self (Archive footage)
1993
Old Isaacs, the Pawnbroker
Doctor, Charity Worker
1908
Film
The Music Master
1908
The Stage Rustler
Phil Bowen
1908