Way Down East
1920
Innocent Anna (Lillian Gish, in a terrific performance) is sent by her poverty-stricken mother to visit rich relations in Boston, where she is seduced into a sham marriage by a smooth-talking scoundrel (Lowell Sherman). When she becomes pregnant, he abandons her; later, the baby dies. Now a social outcast, she changes her name .. Read more
| Starring | Lillian Gish, Richard Barthelmess, Lowell Sherman, Josephine Bernard |
|---|---|
| Director | D.W. Griffith |
| Genres | Drama |
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Way Down East
Innocent Anna (Lillian Gish, in a terrific performance) is sent by her poverty-stricken mother to visit rich relations in Boston, where she is seduced into a sham marriage by a smooth-talking scoundrel (Lowell Sherman). When she becomes pregnant, he abandons her; later, the baby dies. Now a social outcast, she changes her name and eventually finds shelter at the estate of the sternly religious Squire Bartlett (Burr McIntosh). She falls in love with his handsome son (Richard Barthelmess), but cannot divulge to him her terrible secret for fear of his father's righteous fury. D.W. Griffith (BIRTH OF A NATION) directed this film with his usual blend of powerfully cinematic storytelling and scathing social commentary. Rustic New England and New York locations provide a gorgeous backdrop to the proceedings, and the climax, where poor Anna becomes lost in a winter storm, and is swept down the river on ice floes, is one of silent cinema's peak moments.
| Starring | Lillian Gish, Richard Barthelmess, Lowell Sherman, Josephine Bernard, Florence Short |
|---|---|
| Director | D.W. Griffith |
| Studio | EUREKA ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 25 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: not available Production year: 1920 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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A prime example of Hollywood's all-too-frequent attempts to remake a masterpiece when there's little possibility of equalling, let alone improving, the original. Fifteen years after the memorable silent collaboration of DW Griffith and Lillian Gish, Fox handed a sound version to Henry King and Rochelle Hudson (replacing the more suitable Janet Gaynor who dropped out), with Henry Fonda in the Richard Barthelmess role. King's work is all right, especially his re-creation of the ice-river climax, but Hudson is no match for Gish, leaving the honours to Fonda in a much smaller role. The major problem though, lies in the material which, by the mid-thirties, played as outmoded period melodrama, needing a genius to rescue it.
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Griffith's Victorian perspective on illegitimacy (plus his view of maternity as 'woman's Gethsemane', etc) threatens... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
This Silent Movie speaks volumes!!
Don't let the idea of a 'Silent Movie' put you off watching this milestone in movie making history.
'Way Down East' broke many box office records of the time and was the biggest grossing film of the 1920's, and although was a contempory classic it has been largely forgotten by modern audiences but is a must see.
The film covers timeless themes of love, betrayel and certain mens inability to keep it in their pants, being quite refreshing themes which give the film an edge we can all relate to. This film goes against the stigmas associated with silent/black & white films such as stuffyness and oldfashioned storylines.
Lillian Gish, stunning in her youth, plays the lead role with an innocent beauty rarely captured by modern actresses.
Made in the era of little special effects, when stunts were done primarily by the actors hands on, there is a lively scene set on a broken river ice flow which has to be seen to be believed (and where Lillian Gish was close to suffering frostbite while filming). At 2hours 25minutes, it may sound a little long but this is not noticed while viewing, and is essential for the viewer to keep up with the plot via reading the storyboard cards.
Go on! Give it a go, you couldn't go wrong by making this your first silent movie. -
Most recent members' review
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0 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Silent Movie
A Great Classic Worth the viewing.
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Way Down East
Innocent Anna (Lillian Gish, in a terrific performance) is sent by her poverty-stricken mother to visit rich relations in Boston, where she is seduced into a sham marriage by a smooth-talking scoundrel (Lowell Sherman). When she becomes pregnant, he abandons her; later, the baby dies. Now a social ...
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