Intolerance
D.W. Griffith’s ambitious silent epic interweaves four stories set in different historical periods, each illustrating how prejudice and intolerance shape human conflict. The film moves between ancient Babylon, the life of Christ, the French Wars of Religion, and a contemporary American melodrama, connecting them through parallel editing and thematic symbolism. Griffith’s sweeping sets and large-scale battle sequences demonstrated filmmaking on a monumental scale rarely seen at the time. Though complex and unconventional for early audiences, Intolerance became a landmark in cinematic storytelling. Its innovative cross-cutting structure and visual ambition helped expand the possibilities of narrative filmmaking and influenced generations of directors.
Why it matters
- A defining work in the AFI canon, it showcases the craft of classical Hollywood storytelling (or its modern evolution) at a high level.
- Its influence shows up in later films—through structure, tone, or visual language—making it a useful reference point for how the medium developed.
- It endures because its core conflicts feel human and repeatable, letting new audiences find fresh meaning in familiar moments.
Watch for
- How the opening establishes tone and stakes—often more is set up visually than in dialogue.
- Key scenes where performance choices (pauses, glances, timing) do the emotional heavy lifting.
- Editing and transitions: notice what the film hides, what it reveals, and when it decides to do each.