Broken Blossoms (EOTWS)

End Of The Week Shorts #5 extract: Broken Blossoms (1919)

Though D.W Griffith is spectacularly bad, at best, just plain awkward, at depicting other races and cultures, Broken Blossoms is a pretty incredible film. So, looking past the constant use of 'Chink' and 'The Yellow Man', you can kind of see Griffith's ongoing attempt to make up for A Birth Of A Nation in this narrative. 

Beyond this, seen as a highly romantic melodrama, Broken Blossoms has a poignant narrative, moved along by compelling characters and a powerful tragic climax. However, I'd very readily concede to the idea that this is an overly melodramatic film that can, at times, fall past romanticism and into some other creepy and rather awkward realm. So, depending on how you approach this film, you're likely to come away with something quite different to many others. 

One detail that cannot be disputed, however, is the technical approach in the direction, editing and photography. With strict and disciplined cinematic language (sometimes a few too many title cards) this narrative is imbued with a modern sense of articulation. And all of this is given great energy and pace by brilliant editing - especially in the third act. But, the best detail of Broken Blossoms - by far - are the close-ups. I honestly doubt you will find better textured and emotive close-ups in all of cinema--they are extraordinary. 

So, all in all, it'd be difficult to recommend Broken Blossoms to everyone. Nonetheless, this is an exceptional silent film.