[amber]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

"Birth of a Nation" is spellbinding in its brutal portrayal of the Civil War and D.W. Griffith at his finest - many a director to this day copies his inventive and brilliant new appraoch to filming established in the film.

For much lighter fare but very symbolic of the era - I like "Don't Change Your Husband" and "Male and Female," which have Swanson directed by DeMille.

For sheer brilliance, rent Swanson's "Sadie Thompson" - but it is only a partial copy or Swanson's Queen Kelly - which even unfinished is still brilliant most due to Von Stroheim's brilliant but sadistic direction as he also did in "The Wedding March."

If you can get a copy of "The Wind" - you will see Gish in one of her finest portrayals.

Also, all of the above are really good as well.

Blah Blah Swanson Clara Bow kicks her ass...Both leos, though... BUT - Swanson has worked with better directors...