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Intolerance | Year: 1916 Classification: Classics (Silents/Avant Garde) Directed: - D.W. Griffith Intolerant of anyone's views but his own Intolerance is DW Griffith's follow-up to his landmark, but horribly racist and inaccurate "Birth of a Nation." Many protests followed that film and some see Intolerance as Griffith's protest that he is not racist. That's a curious interpretation after watching the film. "Birth" was considered racist for its outlandish characterization of blacks and mulattos as evil, slaves as happy, and the KKK as noble attempts to fight carpetbaggers and free blacks from establishing a black kingdom in the south. None of these themes are dealt with in Intolerance. In fact, there is not a single black character here. Instead, the film engages in other steroetypes. For instance, it is stated the Reformers are simply jealous women unable to land a man, and therefore want to stop others from enjoying themselves, the only good women are those that are loyal and subservent to their men, etc. There are four story lines, described in other reviews. They are sluggish and boring to watch, until the end (after 3 hours) where there is constant cutting back and forth to juxtapose a chariot outracing an army that will destroy the innocent to get a message to its leader, and a race car trying to outrun a train to get a message to the governor to pardon an innocent man about to be hung. All of Griffith's themes are oversimplified. Everything is black and white in terms of right and wrong. In his view, capital punishment is "murder for murder", and war is never justified. These themes follow from Birth of a nation, where the north is blamed for war, not southern secession or slavery. It seems that the Intolerance Griffith describes are anyone whose ideas dare differ from his own. This Is Where It All Began Intolerance is a movie that forces the audience to deal with inhumanity throughout the course of history. Too often it is said that it was an apology for the movie D.W. Griffith made the previous year, The Birth of A Nation. Actually to the contrary it was a furthering of its themes. In the hands of a less competent director, the intertwining of four story lines would leave the viewer baffled and frustrated. However, Griffith uses cross cutting to increase the intensity of his stand against intolerance. Each story feeds off each other until the time gap seems like nothing more a geographical one. As the intensity builds, the scenes get shorter and shorter creating a multi climax that is among the greatest in film history. Although only the second serious American film, it holds up as one of the most brilliantly directed movies to this day. Critics and those who oppose his anti war and anti intolerance message will find miniscule flaws and call Griffith a racist. Intolerance and Birth of a Nation aren't at all a platform to promote racism but are instead a serious statement about man's long history of cruelty. From impatient northern abolitionist to the Uplifters Griffith shows us the dangerous consequences of fanaticism. The abolitionist fanaticism results in the death of over one million Americans while the Uplifters fanaticism results in mothers losing their babies, prohibition, and censorship. In this way, Intolerance is a haunting prophecy. Within three years of its release, the US Congress passed an amendment that banned alcohol and within twenty years the Legion of Decency had firm control over freedom of speech. Don't hear from someone else about this movie or the Birth of a Nation. Buy them both and see for yourself. The History of the World recreated by a Genius!! Brilliance! This is indeed the most powerful film I have ever seen. No other film since has matched this one in its power and accuracy. Though some parts are indeed imaginery, the whole thing is accurate to the last detail. D.W Griffith was a master of recreating history and he shows the powerful portrayals of Babylon (the largest set in history and the most impressive indeed), the Cruxification of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Massacres, the Revolutions... and all tied together with the simple and divine image of the Virgin Mary (played beautifully by Lillian Gish) rocking the cradle of Our Lord. I swear, if anyone found fault with this movie, I'd be highly offended and shocked. This movie is just brilliant and has very few faults in it. Imagine a director in 1915 creating a film of such scope and power and moral, it is truly a feat! No film director ever has portrayed the same power and moral and beauty as D.W. Griffith. I just sat through the whole film (4 hours of it) and I didn't even eat or sleep or drink, it was totally mind consuming and I enjoyed it totally!! :-D If D.W. Griffith were alive today, sure he would be rioted against for his views on race, but I think he would be regarded as the one who recreated God's beautiful Earthly history. It is truly a powerful film with a wonderful message, that out of all times of horror and strife, there is but one person to turn to for divine intervention, Our God himself. Bravo D.W. Griffith! I know God is proud of the work you did! Buy Intolerance at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Intolerance Search with the Priority Search Engine on Intolerance This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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