Broken Blossoms (1919)

Synopsis: This strangely beautiful silent film from D.W. Griffith is also one of his more grim efforts; an indictment of child abuse and the violence of western society. An idealistic Asian (Richard... This strangely beautiful silent film from D.W. Griffith is also one of his more grim efforts; an indictment of child abuse and the violence of western society. An idealistic Asian (Richard Barthelemess) travels to the west in hopes of spreading the Buddha's message of peace to the round-eyed "sons of turmoil and strife." Instead he winds up a disillusioned, opium-smoking shopkeeper in London's squalid Limehouse District. Down the street, a poor waif (Lillian Gish) suffers horrific abuse at the hands of her boxer father (Donald Crisp). When fortune delivers the battered girl into the Asian's tender care, a strange and beautiful love blossoms between them, a love far too fragile to survive their brutal environment. Griffith directed with his unique blend of poetry and realism, and Miss Gish delivers a typically first-rate performance as the girl; the result is a work of art that's both eloquent and crushing. The film was originally presented with color tinting and a musical score composed by Griffith, both of which may vary in different video and film versions. [More]

Starring: Richard Barthelmess, Lillian Gish, George Beranger, Donald Crisp

Starring: Richard Barthelmess, Lillian Gish, George Beranger, Donald Crisp, Arthur Howard, Ed Piel, Norman Selby, Ernest Butterworth, Fred Hamer, Wilbur Higby

Director: D.W. Griffith

Director: D.W. Griffith
Producer: D.W. Griffith

[See More Credits]