I have already seen all of the features in this set previously released on VHS. They were high quality tapes to begin with and were put out by Kino as well (with the exception of THE AVENGING CONSCIENCE). It’s great to have an upgraded version of CONSCIENCE but I wish the set had also included Griffith’s neo-realist masterpiece ISN’T LIFE WONDERFUL? which has yet to be issued on DVD.
There are two things about this set that make it really special. 1) the release of Griffith’s only two sound features and 2) the DVD release of Kevin Brownlow’s 3 hour documentary D.W. GRIFFITH: FATHER OF FILM. ABRAHAM LINCOLN has been on DVD before but having a 35 mm transfer from MOMA should be about as good as it gets. THE STRUGGLE, which was laughed off of screens in 1931, today looks like a precursor to THE LOST WEEKEND in its no holds barred look at an alcoholic on his way down and for you fans of the 1932 MUMMY, there’s Zita Johann in one of her too few film roles. Only the artificially happy ending disappoints.
The Photoplay Productions documentary presents a fairly balanced view of the director’s career, telling us of his many accomplishments while pointing out his various shortcomings. So many artists are their own worst enemy and that was certainly true of Griffith from poorly managing his money to his obsession with making dancer turned actress Carol Dempster a star. You do get to see one of their best collaborations here in SALLY OF THE SAWDUST with W.C Fields in one of his signature roles as well.
I have never been a big fan of WAY DOWN EAST as its melodramatic elements just get to be too much after awhile (even if that was Griffith’s intent) but there’s still Lillian Gish’s bravura performance and of course the famous scene on the ice floes which would show up years later in Warren Beatty’s REDS. As for THE AVENGING CONSCIENCE, it comes from early in Griffith’s feature career and shows just how good he was at that point in time. Having a decent copy of it is a plus any way you look at it not to mention having music that actually fits the action on the screen.
So if you’re a fan of D.W. Griffith’s or are interested in film history then this set is an absolute must. Kino does their usual fine job in providing quality versions of the film material and a wealth of bonus materials including Griffith’s 1909 short EDGAR ALLAN POE. If it’s a little too pricey for some of you in these harsh economic times, just be patient, I’m sure that affordable used copies will be available before too long. That’s one of the many things you can count on Amazon for.
Although none of the prints have been fully restored, most of them are in very good shape. THE AVENGING CONSCIENCE looks great compared to previous incarnations and WAY DOWN EAST has an updated score and is presented with color tints. SALLY OF THE SAWDUST looks the same as the old VHS as does THE STRUGGLE. ABRAHAM LINCOLN looks good but portions of the soundtrack in the beginning are missing. These will likely be the best prints we’ll see for quite some time to come.
The Capsule Critic 