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From Amazon.co.uk
Way Down East was the most successful film of the 1920s, even more so than the original versions of Ben-Hur or The Ten Commandments. That says much about tastes and values of the day, since this is no visually spectacular epic designed to wow audiences: director DW Griffith gave it the subtitle "A Simple Story of Plain People". The story follows impoverished New England country girl Anna Moore (Lillian Gish) to Boston in search of family aid. Instead she's duped into a fake marriage by playboy Lennox Sanderson (Lowell Sherman). Pregnancy forces Sanderson to abandon her to care for the child alone, which dies soon after birth. The disgrace sends her back into the countryside to work for Squire Bartlett, whose son David (Richard Barthelmess) begins to fall for her. But the dreadful secret threatens to be revealed, since the dastardly Sanderson turns out to be their neighbour. Themes of loyalty and social change come to a head for a thrilling finale. Amazing stunt work occurs on a frozen river's ice sheets that break up, dashing an unconscious Anna toward a waterfall. Populated by eccentric cameo roles, this view of 1920s' life is a far more fascinating exploration of the contemporary female than the novel or disastrous stage play that preceded it.
On the DVD: Naturally a movie from 1920 is in mono and 4:3 ratio (which is effectively the old Academy standard ratio). But with subtle colour tints and using a musical score from its 1931 reissue, it still looks pretty good. Only a few reels have suffered damage (eg some heat blisters), otherwise film historian David Shepard's restoration job is commendable. The only extra is an essay on the history of the film which scrolls up the screen as an introduction. --Paul Tonks
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
D W Griffith was one of the greatest directors in the silent era and Way Down East was probably his finest film. The film does not suffer from the flaws which spoil some of his other films such as racual overtones in 'The Birth of a Nation', or a disjointed narrative as does 'Intolerance' and the film therefore should be enjoyable to every silent film fan.
The actual plot of the film centers around Lillian Gish (who gives the performance of her career) and her attempts to escape an incident which occurred in her past. There is also a climax on an ice flow, which is probably the finest in motion history. I will not reveal more as it may spoil the film.
The picture quality of the DVD is good through out and has a score written at the time of the films release.
This DVD is really worth buying, the film still has the power to move even after 80 years and is an essential purchase to any silent film fan.
The actual plot of the film centers around Lillian Gish (who gives the performance of her career) and her attempts to escape an incident which occurred in her past. There is also a climax on an ice flow, which is probably the finest in motion history. I will not reveal more as it may spoil the film.
The picture quality of the DVD is good through out and has a score written at the time of the films release.
This DVD is really worth buying, the film still has the power to move even after 80 years and is an essential purchase to any silent film fan.
Format:DVD
i love silent movies,i love lilian Gish,i loved this film,Griffith's master piece,i would have given it 5 or even 7 stars BUT.... the irritating soundtrack spoiled the enjoyment,my advice is to watch it with volume OFF.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Go Way Back to Griffith
28 Feb 2001
By Mr Peter G George
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:DVD
In order to truly enjoy a film like Way Down East it is necessary to try to perform the seemingly impossible task of transporting yourself back into the 1920's. It is very easy to be critical of the moralizing, the melodrama and the attitudes. It is easy to find a film like this primitive in its techniques and its acting. But this is to miss the point and prevents a viewer from having a great silent film experience. This film carries the viewer along with the intensity of the emotion that is portrayed, especially by Lillian Gish in what is perhaps her best performance. Certain scenes have become archetypes, such as the `leave my house' scene. Some people may criticise the so-called comic relief scenes in this film. But it must be remembered that they are not intended to be funny in the sense of Keaton or Chaplin, for this would make the film fantasy rather than drama. They are supposed to be light relief, nothing more. The best thing about this DVD is that it shows the film complete. The colour tinting, which should always be reproduced if at all possible, is subtle and greatly adds to the mood of each scene. The print shows some damage in places which at times is quite serious, but does not detract from the enjoyment of the film. We must accept that sometimes it is not possible to restore a film to perfection. It is better to have a few damaged frames than to have them missing. The original music for a 1928 reissue is reproduced and sounds fine. Finally this DVD includes extensive sleeve notes which are informative and well written. Griffith, as far as I am concerned, will always remain one of the greatest of directors and Way Down East is one of his finest films.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Great Gish Performance
1 Feb 2000
By "gishfan"
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:DVD
Way Down East, although technically imperfect by the over-exacting standards of modern-day audiences (who are used to expensive computer-generated special effects which rarely serve to truly augment a film and often serve as a cover for woefully deficient plots), is nothing short of a masterpiece. As usual, Lillian Gish's acting is superb, and the ice floe sequence near the end is truly riveting even with a couple of continuity problems. Richard Barthelmess shines through as David Bartlett, turning in another fine performance. Way Down East is another of Griffith's masterpieces, and this release features the full-length version mastered at the correct film speed, complete with original tints, and the original score, recorded on Vitaphone discs for the film's 1930 reissue, making for an outstanding evening's entertainment. Excellent!
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Required Gish Viewing
2 Dec 1999
By Randall
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:DVD
This and Broken Blossoms are the defining moments in Lillian Gish's career. Watch and you'll be hooked. I pretty much bestow all the same accolades as everybody else about this film. Griffith was not quite a master of slapstick, but the moments here are not much different from other comedies at the time. The key of course is Gish's mesmerizing performance and a simple plot (this is 1920 of course). What a treat it is to own this movie and other silents on DVD. The picture quality is virtually perfect. The music score is a recording of an original score. It's scratchy but authentic. My only gripe with this edition is the title cards. The letters look like they came from the Sunday comics. One small quibble in an otherwise remarkable DVD.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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