praising the movie as a milestone

Rating: 10/10 (5 May 1999)

The power of this film is undiminished 80 years after its release. It is undeniably racist, but anyone who is able to ignore the message of the movie can appreciate it as sheer cinematic genius. It has splendid cinematography and fine acting, especially from Lillian Gish, one of the greatest actresses ever to appear on a movie screen. One appreciates Griffith's genius even more when one views other films from 1915 and realizes how many light years he was ahead of his time.