Directed by D.W. Griffith, Way Down East (1920) is legendary in the annals of Film History, thanks to an Epic climax on the broken sheets of ice on a river. The story concerns an innocent country girl who gets duped, seduced and impregnated by a womanizing cad, and finds herself an outcast as a result. D.W. Griffith's masterful direction paces the silent film nicely in an upward sweep to the exciting climax. It ranks amongst his best films. Lillian Gish is great in the lead role, both strong and vulnerable. The supporting players are good as well, including Creighton Hale and Lowell Sherman.
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Lillian Gish: Way Down East. 1920. D.W. Griffith |
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Lillian Gish: Way Down East. 1920. D.W. Griffith |
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Way Down East. 1920. D.W. Griffith |
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Way Down East. 1920. D.W. Griffith |
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Lillian Gish: Way Down East. 1920. D.W. Griffith |
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Lillian Gish: Way Down East. 1920. D.W. Griffith |
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Lillian Gish: Way Down East. 1920. D.W. Griffith |
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Lillian Gish: Way Down East. 1920. D.W. Griffith |
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Lillian Gish: Way Down East. 1920. D.W. Griffith |
a scene from "Way Down East"