Way Down East

Rating:
Summary: Lillian Gish in an epic melodrama: the one with the ice flow
Review: "Way Down East" was originally a 1898 stage melodrama written by Lottie Blair Parker and had been a popular play in the United States when D. W. Griffith stunned his peers by paying $175,000 for the rights (the amount was more than it cost Griffith to make "The Birth of a Nation"). Lillian Gish stars as Anna Moore, an innocent country girl who falls prey to big city playboy Lennox Sanderson (Lowell Sanderson), who sweet talks her into a sham marriage. When Anna becomes pregnant, he leaves and after giving birth the baby dies during the baptism (I SAID this was a melodrama). Anna tries to find a new life on the farm, but Lennox owns the farm next door and plots against her. In the big sequence of the film, Anna's secret is revealed and she is cast out of the farmhouse during a raging blizzard (remember what I said about MELODRAMA). These famous exteriors were filmed on an icy river in late winter at White River Junction, Vermont. If you have ever seen a clip from "Way Down East," then this would be the sequence you have seen; however, the shots of the falls are of Niagra Falls and other shots were filmed with wooden ice-cakes in a studio. Anna is saved from death by David Barlett (Richard Barthelmess), the son of the farmer whose advances she has been rejecting because of her checked past, thereby securing a happy ending after Anna has endured all this grief. Despite the daring rescue on the icy river, it is Gish's performance that is at the heart of the film. Griffith makes excellent use of close-ups at each pivotal moment of the film, where the emotion is carried entirely by the heartfelt expression on Gish's face. Griffith had edited down the film over the years until the New York Museum of Modern Art screened a restored print in 1984 after five-years of work. Fortunately, that is what is now available on videotape.

Rating:
Summary: Lillian Gish in an epic melodrama: the one with the ice flow
Review: "Way Down East" was originally a 1898 stage melodrama written by Lottie Blair Parker and had been a popular play in the United States when D. W. Griffith stunned his peers by paying $175,000 for the rights (the amount was more than it cost Griffith to make "The Birth of a Nation"). Lillian Gish stars as Anna Moore, an innocent country girl who falls prey to big city playboy Lennox Sanderson (Lowell Sanderson), who sweet talks her into a sham marriage. When Anna becomes pregnant, he leaves and after giving birth the baby dies during the baptism (I SAID this was a melodrama). Anna tries to find a new life on the farm, but Lennox owns the farm next door and plots against her. In the big sequence of the film, Anna's secret is revealed and she is cast out of the farmhouse during a raging blizzard (remember what I said about MELODRAMA). These famous exteriors were filmed on an icy river in late winter at White River Junction, Vermont. If you have ever seen a clip from "Way Down East," then this would be the sequence you have seen; however, the shots of the falls are of Niagra Falls and other shots were filmed with wooden ice-cakes in a studio. Anna is saved from death by David Barlett (Richard Barthelmess), the son of the farmer whose advances she has been rejecting because of her checked past, thereby securing a happy ending after Anna has endured all this grief. Despite the daring rescue on the icy river, it is Gish's performance that is at the heart of the film. Griffith makes excellent use of close-ups at each pivotal moment of the film, where the emotion is carried entirely by the heartfelt expression on Gish's face. Griffith had edited down the film over the years until the New York Museum of Modern Art screened a restored print in 1984 after five-years of work. Fortunately, that is what is now available on videotape.

Rating:
Summary: Worth a look
Review: A real storytelling achievement w/good acting, but marred by awful (and I mean awful) comedic sequences. See the shortened version if possible.

Rating:
Summary: Mawkish at times, but stays with you
Review: First, let's get one thing clear: this is old-fashioned melodrama, pure and simple. The situations have been used before ("Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" seem two prominent sources) and real emotion is eschewed by most of the actors in favor of Delsartian posing. The film is conventional in plot and design. However, for some reason I find myself replaying scenes from this film in my head, and moments come back me at odd times. The ice flow scene is a deserved classic -- you feel genuine concern, especially knowing that none of it is high-tech computer wizardry: this is the real thing. Griffith manages some other affecting scenes (the baptism comes to mind) and much of the movie is shot on location, with some lovely scenes of pastoral America. The best aspect of the film, however, is the acting of Lillian Gish. Where other characters resort to mugging, her expressive face and large doe eyes register every emotion truthfully and beautifully. Griffith exploits her talent in as many close-ups as he can get of her. She has mastered the art of silent film acting, and this film is a textbook example by one of the greatest stars of the era. Griffith's real failing in this picture comes in the truly poor comedy scenes. They are irritating, amateurish, and decidedly unfunny. This edition is beautifully done, with the original colored tints used. This is a classic document of an art form and a type of story-telling that has been lost to us.

Rating:
Summary: Mawkish at times, but stays with you
Review: First, let's get one thing clear: this is old-fashioned melodrama, pure and simple. The situations have been used before ("Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" seem two prominent sources) and real emotion is eschewed by most of the actors in favor of Delsartian posing. The film is conventional in plot and design. However, for some reason I find myself replaying scenes from this film in my head, and moments come back me at odd times. The ice flow scene is a deserved classic -- you feel genuine concern, especially knowing that none of it is high-tech computer wizardry: this is the real thing. Griffith manages some other affecting scenes (the baptism comes to mind) and much of the movie is shot on location, with some lovely scenes of pastoral America. The best aspect of the film, however, is the acting of Lillian Gish. Where other characters resort to mugging, her expressive face and large doe eyes register every emotion truthfully and beautifully. Griffith exploits her talent in as many close-ups as he can get of her. She has mastered the art of silent film acting, and this film is a textbook example by one of the greatest stars of the era. Griffith's real failing in this picture comes in the truly poor comedy scenes. They are irritating, amateurish, and decidedly unfunny. This edition is beautifully done, with the original colored tints used. This is a classic document of an art form and a type of story-telling that has been lost to us.

Rating:
Summary: Silent Classic
Review: I had the fortune of seeing this film, via Turner Classic Movies about a year ago. Its story rings true for all time periods. A silent film has a great benefit over talkies; You must Act to the fullest of acting, in order to portray your character. The actors and actresses of the twenties used every resource, but their voices to convey a story. That's what makes this movie such a treat. You sympathize with Lillian's character when she is betrayed and you cheer for her when she is victorious. The film is long, but worth the watch.

Rating:
Summary: Another amazing film from Griffith!
Review: I had the pleasure of watching Way Down East for the first time a week ago and it has stayed with me since. I'm quite a fan of Griffith's earlier works, including in my opinion his finest film ever, Broken Blossoms. Lillian Gish (star of Way Down East and Broken Blossoms) is magnificent with her girl-like charm and portrays a character who is complex and simplistic alike. For anyone who enjoys the pre-Classical Hollywood Cinema silent feature, I highly recommend this film.

Rating:
Summary: the best silent movie ever made!
Review: I loved this movie! It was entertaining, suspenseful, and romantic! I fell in love with the character David, the moment i laid eyes on him. Too bad he was born such a long time ago. I would have loved to meet him!

Rating:
Summary: Lousy DVD Print
Review: Impossible to enjoy this DVD due to terrible, washed-out, fussy print.Film needs major restoration!!!

Rating:
Summary: Go Way Back to Griffith
Review: 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.