dirkdiggler112

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages

A very ambitious film for its time, spanning over 3 hours of screen time, and switching between 4 different eras of time to interconnect common themes to tell one grand story. It reminds me a lot of what Cloud Atlas did a century later to much greater success, in my opinion. It was noted that D.W. Griffith made this as a response to the reception to his prior film, Birth of a Nation. While less overtly racist in nature, it does inherit many problems that plagued that movie as well. Overly long, very preachy at times, and kind of boring. Most of the screen time was centered on just two of the eras, modern story and fall of babylon. I think maybe if the had focused on those two, it would have been much stronger.

josie

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages

well

seenyourvideo

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages

Due to the racist undertones toward black characters, D.W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation earned harsh criticism but nevertheless broke box office records. It was marketed as a new cinematic event, exploiting the overrunning length and budget, and even hired white robed horsemen to march the streets at screenings for publicity; Not to mention people were seeing this in a time when short films only existed, a near three hour movie was nonetheless intriguing. To this date, the film has been citied as the most racist movie of all time, to the point where it's disturbing. It is a shame, when the cinematography and other aspects were so groundbreaking. Intolerance is D.W. Griffith's response to Birth of a Nation's backlash. It showcases four perplexing stories on the harsh struggle that love has fought through the ages, revealing the narrow-mindness of some. Each tale spoons on love, no matter how tragic it may end, heartily grappling it with strong-fueled moments. It heaves a cloud of unbearable empathy and remorse on its audience, then splashes a sentimental meaning. The four tales are spliced together, apprehending with the common theme unfolding in each, as the film's beginning explains. A young lady, titled the Dear One, is a bitter chapter of one of the offbeat cruelties intolerance permits. She's a cheerful spirit living with her father but forced to relocate as war tempers in their hometown. Though gloom has been foreboded, she keeps to being optimistic. Her imitation of 'the girl of the street' is warm and sweet. Billy Bitzer's cinematography silently captures the dear one's emotion perfectly. Her feelings however cascade after another one of love's blows. The Babylonian tale is also sweet with The Mountain Girl, who's righteously perky in every scene. "Touch my skirt and I'll scratch your eyes out!", she exclaims while chewing a raw onion. She's amidst a startling set that will later behold a cutting-edge battle scene. Look out for head chops and a ton of extras. It's overwhelming how much time could have possibly gone into this. The prominent female leads in the Babylonian and the Dear One's tale tower in achievement, while the other two chapters lessen the engaging function. Although they do treat a purposeful message, I considered the plot would weaken up and down being its entwined structure, creating a nonessential viewing at times. Audiences today would find Intolerance a trudging piece of cinema, I know I had a few dillemas. It racks in at nearly three hours but however remains a meaningful piece of the silent film era, and a towering appreciation of how to heartrender an audience. Despite it not being a box office success opposed to Birth of a Nation and almost bankrupting D.W. Griffith, he nonetheless pushed the barriers of cinema yet again.