In our ongoing exploration of D.W. Griffith’s cinematic works, we turn our attention to Intolerance, a film made as a direct response to the severe criticism Griffith faced for his controversial portrayal in The Birth of a Nation. Intolerance was Griffith’s ambitious attempt to elevate cinema to the heights of poetry and to explore thematic rather than narrative storytelling, a pioneering approach that set it apart from his previous works.
The Concept and Vision Behind “Intolerance”
Griffith’s method in Intolerance sought to transcend traditional narrative cinema, aspiring instead to create a filmic experience that paralleled poetry. Poetry, often seen as the pinnacle of culture, typically eschews straightforward plots for emotive and thematic expression through symbolic and metaphorical content. Griffith aimed to mimic this in Intolerance, crafting a film that would discuss broader themes through interconnected stories rather than following a single plotline.
Structure and Storytelling Techniques
Intolerance interweaves four distinct but thematically linked stories from different historical periods, each exploring different manifestations of intolerance:
- The contemporary story of crime and punishment.
- A Biblical tale focusing on the intolerance faced by Jesus.
- A reenactment of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre as an example of religious intolerance.
- A story from Babylonian times that illustrates civic intolerance.
Griffith’s narrative structure, inspired by Wagner’s use of leitmotifs, employs a repeating chorus-a cinematic technique where certain scenes or themes recur throughout the film to enhance the thematic depth and connect the stories. This approach, however, proved challenging for contemporary audiences to follow due to its complexity and the innovative way of simultaneously narrating the four stories.
Cinematic Innovations and Set Pieces
Griffith was heavily influenced by the grandeur of Italian cinema, which is evident in his use of elaborate set pieces and dynamic camera movements. Intolerance featured some of the most extravagant sets ever constructed for a film at that time, contributing to its reputation as one of the most ambitious projects in early cinema.
Reception and Interpretations of Failure
Despite its artistic ambitions, Intolerance was not a commercial success upon release. Several factors contributed to its failure:
- Narrative Complexity: The film’s complex, interwoven narrative structure confused audiences accustomed to more straightforward storytelling.
- High Production Costs: The lavish production was extraordinarily costly, making it financially risky.
- Ideological Content: The film’s strong anti-war message was out of sync with the prevailing American sentiments at the time, particularly as public opinion was heavily influenced by media portrayals of World War I and sympathies with Britain against Germany.
Intolerance stands as a testament to Griffith’s vision of film as a sophisticated, expressive medium capable of tackling broad, philosophical themes. While its initial reception was lukewarm, its innovative narrative structure and its ambitious scale have since been recognized for their significant influence on the development of cinematic art.
Innovation, Controversy, and Legacy
D.W. Griffith and the Formation of United Artists
In 1919, Griffith, along with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks, co-founded United Artists (UA), a film distribution company that represented a significant shift in control from production companies to the artists themselves.
The primary motivation behind the creation of United Artists was to allow filmmakers and leading creative talents to control their own interests, rather than being dependent on the major studios which dominated Hollywood at the time. The founders of UA were some of the biggest stars and most influential filmmakers of their time, and their collaboration marked a significant empowerment of artists within the industry.
“Broken Blossoms”: Griffith’s Attempt at a Message Against Racism
“Broken Blossoms” or “The Yellow Man and the Girl” is a 1919 silent film directed by D.W. Griffith. The film tells the story of a Chinese man, Cheng Huan, who moves to London hoping to spread the peaceful teachings of Buddhism. Instead, he encounters a world of cruelty and is drawn into a tragic relationship with Lucy, a young girl suffering under the brutal hand of her father, a boxer named Battling Burrows.
Griffith intended “Broken Blossoms” to promote a message against racial hatred and to humanize a non-Western character, a marked departure from the stark racism of his earlier films. The film explores themes of cross-cultural interactions and the destructiveness of racial prejudice. It is often interpreted as Griffith’s response to the backlash against his portrayal of race in “The Birth of a Nation,” presenting a narrative that sympathizes with a character who is a victim of Western racism and violence.
Broken Blossoms” still reflects some of the racial stereotypes and problematic casting choices typical of its time. Cheng Huan, the Chinese protagonist, is portrayed by Richard Barthelmess, a white American actor in yellowface, which undermines the film’s anti-racism message by not casting an actor of Chinese descent.
“Way Down East”: A Catalyst for Hollywood’s Golden Age 1920
Unlike his earlier films, which often dealt with heavy social and political themes, “Way Down East” is primarily a melodramatic story that focuses on individual human emotions and personal hardships. The success of this film not only reaffirmed Griffith’s status as a pioneering filmmaker but also helped to solidify the formula for melodramatic narratives in Hollywood, a genre that would come to dominate the screen during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The film tells the story of Anna Moore, a poor country girl who is deceived into a fake marriage by a wealthy playboy. After being cast out when she becomes pregnant, she endures a series of hardships before being rescued by a true-hearted farmer named David Bartlett.
“Way Down East” is particularly famous for its climactic scene where Anna, played by Lillian Gish, is stranded on an ice floe rushing towards a waterfall, a scene that required dangerous stunt work that was groundbreaking at the time.
Griffith’s direction utilized advanced filming techniques, including location shooting in harsh weather conditions to capture the film’s most famous scenes authentically. The realism and immediacy of these scenes enhanced the emotional impact of the film and demonstrated Griffith’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of cinematic realism.
Moreover, the performances, particularly by Lillian Gish, were pivotal in the film’s success. Gish’s ability to convey deep vulnerability and strength won acclaim and helped establish her as one of the era’s most talented actresses. Her performance in “Way Down East” exemplifies the increasing importance of star power in Hollywood films, a trend that would become central to the industry during the Golden Age.
“Orphans of the Storm”: Griffith’s Historical Epic
“Orphans of the Storm,” released in 1921, is one of D.W. Griffith’s later epic films. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution, the film follows the story of two sisters who struggle to survive and stay together amidst the chaos and terror of the era. This film, while not as controversial as some of his earlier works, showcases Griffith’s continued commitment to grand, historical narratives and his ability to tell deeply personal stories within the context of significant historical events.
Plot and Cinematic Style
The film stars Lillian and Dorothy Gish as the two sisters who, through a series of misfortunes, find themselves swept up in the political upheaval of the French Revolution. Griffith uses this historical period to explore themes of injustice, social strife, and the resilience of the human spirit. Like his previous works, “Orphans of the Storm” is notable for its elaborate sets, dramatic crowd scenes, and meticulous attention to historical detail, which serve to immerse the audience in the story’s period and setting.
Griffith’s Impact on the Film Industry
As we conclude our exploration of D.W. Griffith’s significant films, it’s important to reflect on how his work contributed to the evolution of cinema from a collection of simple, short films to a sophisticated, collaborative industry. Griffith was instrumental in demonstrating that film could be a powerful form of artistic expression, capable of telling complex and engaging stories. His films required the collaboration of scores of people, from screenwriters and producers to set designers and extras, highlighting the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
The Birth of an Industry
Griffith’s ambitious projects showcased the necessity for a structured film industry. His work helped establish many of the foundational practices of modern cinema, including the use of detailed scripts, the importance of directorial vision, and the role of actors in bringing a film’s story to life. Moreover, his films demonstrated the economic potential of cinema, attracting significant investment and leading to the establishment of permanent film studios and production companies.
Griffith’s Legacy
D.W. Griffith’s legacy is a complex one, marked by both groundbreaking artistic achievements and deeply problematic moral and ethical issues in his works. However, his influence on the development of film as an industry is undeniable. He showed that films could be both commercially successful and artistically ambitious, paving the way for Hollywood’s Golden Age. His innovations in narrative structure, editing techniques, and visual storytelling continue to influence filmmakers today.
Conclusion
In sum, D.W. Griffith was a pivotal figure in transforming cinema into a vibrant industry. His films required extensive collaboration across various disciplines, setting the stage for the modern film production process. While his legacy is mixed, his impact on the art and industry of filmmaking is indelible, making him one of the seminal figures in the history of cinema. As we continue to study his contributions and their lasting effects, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and power of cinematic art.
Deepen Your Knowledge with these books:
- D.W. Griffith’s Intolerance: Its Genesis and Its Vision – This critical study by William M. Drew delves into the background and creation of Griffith’s 1916 epic, Intolerance. It examines the film’s ambitious narrative structure and its impact on cinema.
- The Birth of a Nation: How a Legendary Filmmaker and a Crusading Editor Reignited America’s Civil War – This book explores the making of The Birth of a Nation and its cultural impact, including the controversy surrounding its racist themes and the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan. It also delves into the relationship between D.W. Griffith and the journalist who opposed the film.
- D.W. Griffith and the Origins of American Narrative Film – Authored by Tom Gunning, this comprehensive study examines Griffith’s early career at Biograph, highlighting his pioneering narrative techniques that shaped classical Hollywood cinema.
- Early American Cinema – Anthony Slide provides a concise history of the American motion picture industry before 1920, documenting the work of early production companies, filmmakers, and performers, offering valuable insights into the context in which Griffith operated.
- The Emergence of Cinema: The American Screen to 1907 – Charles Musser explores the foundational stage of American cinema, examining technological and societal influences that shaped the early motion picture industry, providing context for understanding Griffith’s contributions.
- American Film History: Selected Readings, Origins to 1960 – Edited by Cynthia Lucia, Roy Grundmann, and Art Simon, this collection charts the rise of film in early twentieth-century America, exploring mainstream trends and developments, along with topics often relegated to the margins of standard film histories.
- D.W. Griffith: Master of Cinema – Ira H. Gallen offers a meticulously detailed biography of Griffith, utilizing archival documents and photographs to detail his place as a film pioneer, shedding light on his innovative techniques and their impact on modern cinema.
