His next role , in War Brides opposite Nazimova , attracted the attention of legendary director D.W. Griffith , who offered him several important roles , finally casting him opposite Lillian Gish in Broken Blossoms ( 1919 ) and Way Down East ( 1920 ) .
He cast Barthelmess opposite Lillian Gish in Broken Blossoms ( 1919 ) and Way Down East ( 1920 ) .