D.W. Problematic Pioneer

After delving deeper into the context of D.W. Griffith's life and career, what are your reflections on his contributions to film? How do you believe Griffith's influence should be perceived and evaluated in the context of 21st-century cinema?


D.W. was born January 22nd, 1875 he was raised as a Methodist and educated by his older sister Mattie Griffith. After his father passed away, Griffith left high school to support his family by working in markets and bookstores. The economy of the South had been  changed after the Civil War and currency became essential due to the abolitionist movement. Not long after D.W. Griffith took tours in theaters and was an actor, he was learning the arts, trying to become a playwright. Every company rejected him until the Edison company took him in. The 1915 3 hour silent film Birth of A Nation was released, this changed the film industry forever. It was the first film to be accompanied by a musical score. It was also a visual game-changer that employed closeups, fadeouts, and a large amount of extras. Although the film had it's successes, it also had it's flaws. The storytelling of the film was pure hatred and racist, it was really bad to the point it made people create hate groups towards black African American people. Although D.W. made some advancements he also regressed at the same time, which sounds crazy. I think his influence should be perceived as neutral respect his advancements in film, but not his racist acts. 

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