jjares reviewed D.W. Griffith: The Life and Legacy of the Hollywood Director Who Made The Birth of a Nation on + 3270 more book reviews
D W Griffith is a legend of the film industry. Besides the quality of Griffith's work, he completed 518 films in about 15 years. His career spanned the silent and sound eras. However, he never believed that 'the talkies' would ever catch on.
However, Griffith is now known, not for his broad cinematic and directional abilities, but for the controversy over BIRTH OF A NATION. Although it was a crowning achievement, the film's subject was deemed racist and that has forever darkened Griffith's star. The film portrayed African Americans in a negative light and glorified the Ku Klux Klan.
There was some interesting analysis of BIRTH OF A NATION and Griffith's follow-up film, INTOLERANCE. I thought the book dropped the ball is when it suddenly shut down the story with Griffith's sudden death (what happened to his family?). It is interesting that he was almost unknown by the time of his death.
However, Griffith is now known, not for his broad cinematic and directional abilities, but for the controversy over BIRTH OF A NATION. Although it was a crowning achievement, the film's subject was deemed racist and that has forever darkened Griffith's star. The film portrayed African Americans in a negative light and glorified the Ku Klux Klan.
There was some interesting analysis of BIRTH OF A NATION and Griffith's follow-up film, INTOLERANCE. I thought the book dropped the ball is when it suddenly shut down the story with Griffith's sudden death (what happened to his family?). It is interesting that he was almost unknown by the time of his death.
