Cast
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Lillian Gish
as The Woman Who Rocks the Cradle
Mae Marsh
as The Dear One (Modern Story)
Robert Harron
as The Boy (Modern Story)
F.A. Turner
as The Girl's Father (Modern Story)
Sam De Grasse
as Arthur Jenkins (Modern Story)
Vera Lewis
as Mary T. Jenkins (Modern Story)
Lillian Langdon
as Mary, the Mother (Judean Story)
Olga Grey
as Mary Magdalene (Judean Story)
Erich von Ritzau
as First Pharisee (Judean Story)
Bessie Love
as The Bride of Cana (Judean Story)
Margery Wilson
as Brown Eyes (French Story)
Eugene Pallette
as Prosper Latour (French Story)
Spottiswoode Aitken
as Brown Eyes' Father (French Story)
Ruth Handforth
as Brown Eyes' Mother (French Story)
Elmer Clifton
as The Rhapsode (Babylonian Story)
Crew
Director
- D.W. Griffith
Writer
- Anita Loos
- Frank E. Woods
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director D.W. Griffith brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1916, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages took approximately 29 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $0.4 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 197 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 248 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 3 months to complete.
- The film contains approximately 2120 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 127 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 1916, when this film was released:
- Rock and roll music was revolutionizing popular culture.
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Lymelife, which focuses more on action than character development, Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Cabiria and About Schmidt explore similar territory, Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 4, 1916
- Runtime: 3h 17m
- Budget: $385,907
- Revenue: $1,750,000
Where to Watch
