D.W. Griffith
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.
Acting
Movie
San Francisco
as Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
1936
TV
American Experience
as Self
1988
Movie
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest
as Father
1908
Movie
The Tramp and the Dictator
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2002
Movie
Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty
as archive footage
2020
Movie
A Calamitous Elopement
as Policeman
1908
Movie
The Black Viper
as Rescuer
1908
Movie
Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies
as Self (archive footage)
2008
Movie
Her First Adventure
as Father
1908
Movie
1776, or The Hessian Renegades
1909
Movie
The Sculptor's Nightmare
1908
Movie
Balked at the Altar
1908
Movie
Cupid’s Pranks
1908
Movie
Enoch Arden
as Mr. Ray
1915
Movie
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
as Self (archive footage)
2007
Movie
At the Altar
1909
Movie
At the French Ball
as Husband
1908
Movie
The Invisible Fluid
as Mailman
1908
Movie
Deceived Slumming Party
as Reginald O.C. Wittington
1908
Movie
The Adventures of Billy
as On Bench
1911
Movie
The Politician's Love Story
as Man - First Couple
1909
Movie
The Making of 'The Birth of a Nation'
as Self (Archive footage)
1993
Movie
At the Crossroads of Life
as Suitor
1908
Movie
Classmates
as Extra
1908
Crew
Movie
The Birth of a Nation
Writer
1915
Movie
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Scenario Writer
1916
Movie
Broken Blossoms or The Yellow Man and the Girl
Director
1919
Movie
Way Down East
Director
1920
Movie
A Corner in Wheat
Director
1909
Movie
Orphans of the Storm
Director
1921
Movie
The Musketeers of Pig Alley
Director
1912
Movie
San Francisco
Second Assistant Director
1936
Movie
The Lonely Villa
Director
1909
Movie
The King of Kings
Assistant Director
1927
Movie
Those Awful Hats
Director
1909
Movie
The Lonedale Operator
Director
1911