The Life and Times of D.W. Griffith

The Life and Times of D.W. Griffith charts the career trajectory of the pioneering American film director from his early days in theater through his rise as Hollywood's first great auteur. Schickel examines Griffith's innovations in filmmaking technique and storytelling during cinema's formative years. The biography draws from extensive research to reconstruct Griffith's personal life alongside his professional endeavors at Biograph Studios and beyond. The narrative follows his relationships with actors and collaborators, his artistic development, and the changing dynamics of the early film industry. Through letters, production records, and contemporary accounts, Schickel documents the making of landmark films like Birth of a Nation and Intolerance, as well as Griffith's later works and eventual decline. The book provides context for both Griffith's achievements and controversies within the social and cultural landscape of early 20th century America. This comprehensive portrait reveals the complexities of an artist who helped establish cinema's power as a medium while embodying both the creative possibilities and moral challenges of the form. Schickel's account raises enduring questions about artistic vision, social responsibility, and the role of the director in shaping cultural narratives.

Readers appreciate the depth of research and wealth of details about Griffith's career, particularly the coverage of his early years and rise in the film industry. Multiple reviewers note the book balances Griffith's artistic achievements with unflinching examination of his racism and controversial views. Readers value Schickel's analysis of how Griffith's Southern background and personal beliefs influenced his filmmaking. Several cite the thorough documentation of his working relationships with actors and crew. Common criticisms include the dense writing style and occasional meandering into technical minutiae. Some readers found the chronological structure made it difficult to follow thematic developments in Griffith's work. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (46 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 reviews) "Exhaustively researched but sometimes exhausting to read" - Goodreads reviewer "Strong on facts but could use more critical analysis" - Amazon review "Best on the early years, loses steam in later chapters" - Library Thing review

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🎥 D.W. Griffith worked as a theatrical actor for years before becoming a filmmaker, performing in over 100 stage productions across America 📚 Author Richard Schickel served as TIME magazine's film critic for 45 years (1965-2010) and wrote more than 30 books about cinema 🎬 The book reveals how Griffith's masterpiece "Birth of a Nation" (1915) was the first American film to be screened at the White House, shown to President Woodrow Wilson 🌟 Despite revolutionizing filmmaking with techniques like the close-up and parallel editing, Griffith died nearly penniless in 1948 at the Hollywood Knickerbocker Hotel 📽️ Schickel conducted extensive research for the book at the Museum of Modern Art, which houses the Griffith archives, including previously unseen personal correspondence and production notes