D.W. Griffith, a very influential filmmaker

One could say that the history of cinema could not exist without the history of theater. Indeed, although staged theater and cinema have their differences, both perform a fundamental function—to re-enact the classic conflict between good and evil. One man, in particular, transitioned from being a playwright to being a director during the advent of cinema itself.  This man not only created a highly controversial film, but created what some may consider the start of film history itself.  Thus, David Wark Griffith, or D.W. Griffith for short, essentially transformed the film industry into what modern audiences enjoy today.

Born on January 22, 1875, in Kentucky, David Wark Griffith was raised by his father, Jacob, a farmer who once fought alongside the Confederates during the Civil War, while his mother, Mary, bore seven children. His father died when he was young and left the family in economic despair. While living in Kentucky, David Wark Griffith felt the urge to move from the farm to the city. Although David Wark Griffith was a very quiet person during his youth, he aspired to become an actor as well as a writer.

With this dream in mind, Griffith left Louisville, Kentucky, to become part of various touring companies. He even wrote original plays. Even with these plays written, Griffith then went on to be part of the industry that would make him famous—the film industry. In addition to acting in small parts in films, Griffith finally had the opportunity to try to direct.  The first film that he directed, entitled The Adventures of Dollie, gave Griffith at least some credibility when it came to directing motion pictures.

Despite having some difficulty in establishing himself with his first film, D.W. Griffith proved to others in the film industry that he does have some potential for succeeding in the business.  Because of his demeanor on the set, D.W. Griffith proved to the others at Biograph that he does have the chance to succeed in the film industry. Yet the ultimate challenge arrived when D.W. Griffith attempted to direct an adaptation of Thomas Dixon’s controversial novel and play, The Clansman, which ultimately lead to one of the greatest, but also infamous, films of all time, The Birth of a Nation.

The Birth of a Nation proved to be one of the most controversial films ever made. This is primarily due to the subject matter, especially since the film dealt with themes of racism during the Civil War on an epic scale.  Because of the dark nature of the film itself, it proved difficult to censor, especially since it reflects the evils that exist between the classic contrast between white Americans and black slaves. Since the film employs both black and white characters, and the classic conflict between good and evil, many audience members perceived the film as racist because of the film provokes the idea that all black people are evil as well as the idea that whites reign supreme. The themes and characters in the film, therefore, captivated audiences as well as horrified them as the film explores the inhumane aspects of mankind.

In spite of the controversial nature of the film, the film proved to be a box office success. D.W. Griffith also employed many film techniques that many film directors use today, such as close-up shots and sweeping camera movements, which further enhance the dramatic mood of the storyline. Close-up shots, for example, would develop and reveal the characters’ emotions during important parts in the story. The cinematography, overall, truly does add to the overall spectacle of the film. Therefore, part of the success of the film is the overall visual design of it because it gives the film its own distinct identity.

Other film techniques, like the iris shot and flashbacks, transformed American filmmaking into a special kind of storytelling. Both staged theater and cinema perform one fundamental task—to reveal the art of re-enactment. Because The Birth of a Nation was a film that can create an emotional catharsis for its audience through spectacle and plot, it ultimately transformed filmmaking into a work of art. Because of D.W. Griffith’s film, filmmaking became an entire discipline within itself that is both done in Hollywood as well as in academic settings. The Birth of a Nation, therefore, helped create the beginnings of the birth of film history itself.

After the success of The Birth of a Nation, D.W. Griffith’s next film, Intolerance, received a lot of praise as well.  Furthermore, some critics hail Griffith’s film Intolerance as one of the greatest films in the silent film era.  Thus, some may consider D.W. Griffith’s response to A Birth of a Nation as the true masterpiece.

Despite such opinions about the film Intolerance, others perceive it as nothing more than a stunt to ward off the chaos generated by The Birth of a Nation. This is especially true because Intolerance is almost the opposite of The Birth of a Nation in terms of thematic content. While Birth of a Nation is a very racist film, Intolerance explored the themes of man’s inhumanity to other man, persecution, and discrimination, while also advocating the end to these heinous aspects of life itself. Even with these two cinematic achievements, D.W. Griffith could not escape the downfall that came about later on during his career. Griffith’s career basically crumbled as the publicity and controversy that surrounded A Birth of a Nation overshadowed his later film projects. Later on, “Griffith was attacked by critics on the grounds that he did not understand what the public wanted” (Henderson 145). As his films declined into obscurity, D.W. Griffith’s personal life fell apart as well. Near the end of his life, Griffith’s second wife, Evelyn, filed for divorce. Afterwards, he suffered from health complications, a coma, and finally died one morning. Such a tragic end to D.W. Griffith’s life proves that even a man of great talent can suffer a lethal downfall.

In terms of legacy, D.W. Griffith left a lasting mark on cinema. Indeed, film classes all over the world study the films of D.W. Griffith. Some would further speculate that Birth of a Nation was the first full-length feature film in cinematic history. In spite of all of the controversy that surrounds this film, many still admire the film for its epic scope and its distinct nature. Not only did Griffith provide audiences with entertaining films, but he also helped out the people that made those films as well.

Even though controversy surrounds D.W. Griffith and his work, it is undeniable that. He transformed the art of filmmaking. He created masterpieces that audiences could either accept or reject as cinematic art based on their own personal interpretations. Thus, like many other famous icons in the film industry, such as Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith had his own story that forever changed the history of film. The work that he created established himself as a filmmaker that the general public will never forget because his legacy endures through the work of current modern-day filmmakers. In fact, many modern-day filmmakers, like Martin Scorsese, acquire inspiration from him when they do their own film projects. Therefore, D.W. Griffith really is a man that changed Hollywood and American cinema for all time.