D.W. Griffith
Known for Directing · 52 credits
- Born
- 1875-01-22
- Died
- 1948-07-23
- Place of birth
- LaGrange, Kentucky, USA
- Also known as
- David Llewelyn Wark Griffith · David Wark Griffith · David W. Griffith · Lawrence Griffith · Captain Victor Marier · Capt. Victor Marier
Biography
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.
Known For
American Experience
1988
as Self
Hollywood Black
2024
as Self (archive footage)
San Francisco
1936
as Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
2007
as Self (archive footage)
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
1961
as Self (archive footage)
Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty
2020
as archive footage
TV Shows (2)
Movies (50)
San Francisco
1936
as Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
2007
as Self (archive footage)
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
1961
as Self (archive footage)
Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty
2020
as archive footage
At the Altar
1909
The Tramp and the Dictator
2002
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest
1908
as Father
Star Power: The Creation Of United Artists
1998
as Self (archive footage)
Mary Pickford: The Muse of the Movies
2008
as Self (archive footage)
Enoch Arden
1915
as Mr. Ray
The Fatal Hour
1908
as Policeman
Two Daughters of Eve
1912
as At Stage Door
Classmates
1908
as Extra
The Invisible Fluid
1908
as Mailman
Flashback: The First World War
2014
as Self (archive footage)
Cupid’s Pranks
1908
1776, or The Hessian Renegades
1909
The King of the Cannibal Islands
1908
as Cannibal in Top Hat
Mary Pickford a Blessing and a Curse
2023
as Self
Screen Snapshots (Series 1, No. 20)
1921
as Himself
The Black Viper
1908
as Rescuer
The Red Girl
1908
as Man on Footpath
The Sculptor's Nightmare
1908
The Heart of O Yama
1908
as Footman
Balked at the Altar
1908
Deceived Slumming Party
1908
as Reginald O.C. Wittington
A Famous Escape
1908
as Prisoner
The Adventures of Billy
1911
as On Bench
Caught by Wireless
1908
as Paddy
The King's Messenger
1908
as Messenger
The Kentuckian
1908
When Knights Were Bold
1908
Falsely Accused!
1908
as Cop in Court
The Making of 'The Birth of a Nation'
1993
as Self (Archive footage)
The Princess in the Vase
1908
as Lover
'Ostler Joe
1908
as Lover
Old Isaacs, the Pawnbroker
1908
as Doctor, Charity Worker
The Music Master
1908
At the French Ball
1908
as Husband
Yellow Peril
1908
as Mr. Phlipp
The Politician's Love Story
1909
as Man - First Couple
At the Crossroads of Life
1908
as Suitor
The Girls and Daddy
1909
as At Black & Tan Ball
The Man in the Box
1908
as Station Agent
1930 Prelude to "The Birth of a Nation"
1930
as Self
Professional Jealousy
1908
as Extra on stage
Hulda's Lovers
1908
The Stage Rustler
1908
as Phil Bowen
Her First Adventure
1908
as Father
A Calamitous Elopement
1908
as Policeman
About 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… With 52 credits spanning from 1908 to 2024, D.W. Griffith has appeared in 50 films and 2 TV shows.
Fans searching for D.W. Griffith movies, D.W. Griffith filmography, or the latest projects starring D.W. Griffith can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular D.W. Griffith Movies
- San Francisco (1936) — as Orchestra Conductor (uncredited)
- Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema (2007) — as Self (archive footage)
- The Legend of Rudolph Valentino (1961) — as Self (archive footage)
- Charlie Chaplin, The Genius of Liberty (2020) — as archive footage
- At the Altar (1909)
Where to Watch D.W. Griffith Films
Most D.W. Griffith movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring D.W. Griffith, check our movies catalogue and browse page.