While DW Griffith is not one of my favourite directors of all time, he is wholly deserving of his reputation as a pioneer of the silent film. And he also pioneered some film techniques, such as the cross cutting and parrallel editing, which are always so fascinating to watch and hold up tremendously well in his work today. While not being a fan of all his work, when he was on form his work was very good to outstanding (which was actually quite a lot of it).
'A Corner in Wheat' is not among my favourite works of his, but it is one of his best and most interesting (in its ahead of the time and brave subject matter that was very relevant and seldom if ever addressed on film back then) early short films. And it also compares favourably when it comes to his short films overall. It isn't perfect in its handling of the subject perhaps, but it is at least a visual and technical triumph as was typical with Griffith.
Griffith may still have been finding his feet in regard to his storytelling and his handling of themes, though certainly not on the visual front.
Do agree too that the messaging is delivered too heavy-handedly, was not expecting subtlety as such but it was a little bit much in particularly the middle. Did appreciate though its good intentions and that it even dared approach this subject.
On the other hand, 'A Corner in Wheat' still looks great, in fact calling it that is an understatement. Would go as far as to call it a visual and technical triumph, with the pioneering film techniques Griffith specialised in being so skillfully done and so accomplished for so early on. The visual storytelling is also hugely effective. Griffith's direction is also a stroke of genius, he didn't seem ill at ease or like he was trying to do too much. They are all so good that they make up half my high rating.
The story may not be perfectly executed, but it is well intentioned and has a good deal of tension and has a lot interesting to say. It also was enough to make me learn more about the subject and understand it more. The climax and ending are exciting and emotionally stirring, it did stay with me for a while. Although the characters are not meaty as such, they carry the story very nicely. The acting doesn't come over as too static or theatrical.
Concluding, very well done. 8/10.
'A Corner in Wheat' is not among my favourite works of his, but it is one of his best and most interesting (in its ahead of the time and brave subject matter that was very relevant and seldom if ever addressed on film back then) early short films. And it also compares favourably when it comes to his short films overall. It isn't perfect in its handling of the subject perhaps, but it is at least a visual and technical triumph as was typical with Griffith.
Griffith may still have been finding his feet in regard to his storytelling and his handling of themes, though certainly not on the visual front.
Do agree too that the messaging is delivered too heavy-handedly, was not expecting subtlety as such but it was a little bit much in particularly the middle. Did appreciate though its good intentions and that it even dared approach this subject.
On the other hand, 'A Corner in Wheat' still looks great, in fact calling it that is an understatement. Would go as far as to call it a visual and technical triumph, with the pioneering film techniques Griffith specialised in being so skillfully done and so accomplished for so early on. The visual storytelling is also hugely effective. Griffith's direction is also a stroke of genius, he didn't seem ill at ease or like he was trying to do too much. They are all so good that they make up half my high rating.
The story may not be perfectly executed, but it is well intentioned and has a good deal of tension and has a lot interesting to say. It also was enough to make me learn more about the subject and understand it more. The climax and ending are exciting and emotionally stirring, it did stay with me for a while. Although the characters are not meaty as such, they carry the story very nicely. The acting doesn't come over as too static or theatrical.
Concluding, very well done. 8/10.