Watch Intolerance pt. 1

Intolerance Pt. 1 is a silent film released in 1916, directed by D.W. Griffith, with a runtime of approximately 178 minutes. The film is divided into four separate stories that are connected thematically by the overarching concept of intolerance. Each story takes place during a different time period and location: Babylon in 539 BC, Judea in 27 AD, France in the late 16th century, and America in the early 20th century.

The film opens with a brief introduction by Griffith who explains that the film is an attempt to show that intolerance has been a part of human history and has resulted in tragic consequences. The first story is set in ancient Babylon, where a king (played by George Siegmann) falls in love with a priestess (played by Constance Talmadge). The king's marriage to the priestess incurs the wrath of the high priest who opposes the union of the two classes. In Judea, a young couple, Mary (Mae Marsh) and Joseph (Robert Harron), give birth to Jesus and are forced to flee to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod.

In the third story, set in France, a young Huguenot couple, Marguerite (Margery Wilson) and Prosper (Erich von Stroheim), are separated when Marguerite is imprisoned after a failed attempt to free her lover from prison. The fourth story is set in the present day, and follows the story of a poor girl called 'The Dear One' (Mae Marsh) and a young man called 'The Boy' (Robert Harron) who fall in love but face opposition from the boy's wealthy family.

Each of the stories features a wide cast of characters, each with their own motivations and struggles. Throughout the film, Griffith cuts back and forth between the different narratives to create a sense of continuity and parallelism. The film features impressive sets and large, elaborate battle scenes.

The film's underlying theme of intolerance is best expressed in the third story, which deals with religious persecution in 16th century France. Griffith shows the viciousness and inhumanity of religiously motivated killings, especially when the Queen Mother, Catherine de' Medici, orders the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, which claims the life of Marguerite.

Although the film's stories have little to do with one another in terms of plot, they are connected by Griffith's message about the power of intolerance. By juxtaposing different cultures, religions, and historical periods, Griffith elaborates on the idea that intolerance is universal and can have catastrophic results. The film's conclusion is that humanity must strive for tolerance, love, and understanding in order to avoid repeating past mistakes and to ultimately create a more harmonious and peaceful world.

Critics at the time of the film's release were divided over the film's message and the effectiveness of its approach. Some found the film's themes too broad and simplistic, while others praised Griffith's technical mastery and the film's innovative use of cross-cutting.

Overall, Intolerance Pt. 1 is a thought-provoking and ambitious masterpiece that challenged audiences to consider the power of intolerance in shaping human history. Its impact on the film industry is considerable, and the film remains a remarkable achievement in early narrative filmmaking.