Intolerance (1916)

A larger than life epic
This epic film is larger than life. The film maker D. W. Griffith was trying to make a major statement about the human condition. How successful was he? Each viewer will have to decide for himself or herself. This movie came out after the well-know "Birth of a Nation," which put a positive face on the Ku Klux Klan and exhibits racist sentiments. This movie has a far different orientation, suggesting that intolerance has been the bane of human existence from early on.

He attempts to support this claim by juxtaposing four distinct episodes, in each of which intolerance is at the heart of conflict. The earliest (chronologically) is set in Jerusalem and focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus; next was a stunning portrayal focusing on ancient Babylon (one can scarcely imagine the lavish sets constructed for this scene); persecution of the Huguenots in 16th century Paris; the most recent episode occurs in his era and focuses on labor-management strife.

The scenes are separate, but he cuts between them. Sometimes this can be confusing; sometimes it is powerful.

Intolerance tends to win out more often than not, but the emotional impact of the various stories is considerable.

This is a sprawling story, somewhat overblown, probably too optimistic about defeating intolerance. But, all of that said, it is a powerful cinematic statement by D. W. Griffith.

Intolerance
Stung by accusations of racism after the debut of his "Birth of a Nation," Griffith decided to assuage his detractors and at the same time top his previous masterpiece with this lavish meditation on cruelty and persecution. With colossal stages, a vast universe of extras, and some of the most jaw-dropping images ever recorded on film (check out the fall of Babylon sequence!), "Intolerance" is a masterpiece of epic melodrama and set-piece grandeur. Among the cast, Harron (as the contemporary hero), Lillian Gish (as the symbolic Woman Who Rocks the Cradle), Mae Marsh (as the "Dear One" in the modern tale), and Constance Talmadge (as the Girl From the Mountains) are especially striking. And the brilliantly innovative parallel climax of all four stories is a feat of ahead-of-its-time editing technique that may still take your breath away.

Intolerance
Stung by accusations of racism after the debut of his "Birth of a Nation," Griffith decided to assuage his detractors and at the same time top his previous masterpiece with this lavish meditation on cruelty and persecution. With colossal stages, a vast universe of extras, and some of the most jaw-dropping images ever recorded on film (check out the fall of Babylon sequence!), "Intolerance" is a masterpiece of epic melodrama and set-piece grandeur. Among the cast, Harron (as the contemporary hero), Lillian Gish (as the symbolic Woman Who Rocks the Cradle), Mae Marsh (as the "Dear One" in the modern tale), and Constance Talmadge (as the Girl From the Mountains) are especially striking. And the brilliantly innovative parallel climax of all four stories is a feat of ahead-of-its-time editing technique that may still take your breath away.