The production of The Birth of a Nation in 1915 established D. W. Griffith as a force in early motion pictures, creating a commercial blockbuster that simultaneously sparked intense public protests. Over his career, he directed nearly 520 films, including hundreds of short subjects, effectively formalizing the narrative techniques that defined the silent era of American cinema.
Early Career and Move to California
Born in 1875 in Crestwood, Kentucky, Griffith began his creative life as a stage actor and writer before entering the film industry. His transition into directing occurred in 1908 at the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company. He quickly mastered production techniques, including cross-cutting narratives. In 1910, he directed In Old California, which holds the distinction of being the first film shot in the burgeoning Hollywood production hub.
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Griffith gained notoriety for his 1915 epic, The Birth of a Nation. While the film achieved unprecedented financial success and broke existing box-office records, it faced immediate backlash due to its portrayal of African Americans and the celebration of the Ku Klux Klan. The controversy led to calls for bans from organizations like the NAACP. In response to critics, Griffith produced Intolerance in 1916, a multi-period feature designed to examine the consequences of societal conflict, though the project failed to recoup its substantial production costs.
Late Period and Legacy
Despite achieving successes with films such as Broken Blossoms in 1919 and Way Down East in 1921, Griffith often struggled with the financial demands of his productions. His career culminated with his final feature, The Struggle, released in 1931. Throughout his life in the United States, he was credited with expanding the possibilities of film editing and narrative structure. He died in Hollywood in 1948 and is buried at the Mount Tabor Methodist Church Graveyard.
Fast facts
- Born: 1875, Crestwood
- Died: 1948, Hollywood
- Notable Works: Intolerance, The Birth of a Nation
- Awards: Academy Honorary Award (1936)
- Total films made: Nearly 520
- Citizenship: United States
- Primary Field: Silent film
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the 1915 film The Birth of a Nation?
It was one of the most financially successful films of its time and acted as a landmark in film history, though it remains widely condemned for its racist content and glorification of the Ku Klux Klan.
Did Griffith direct any sound films?
Nearly all of his works were silent; he produced only three feature films that were not silent by the time of his final release, The Struggle, in 1931.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Birth of a Nation
- Notable work: Intolerance
- Worked as film director, actor and film producer