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Movie Source: Internet Archive (archive.org)
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"Broken Blossoms" (1919) director D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer

"Broken Blossoms" is a poignant drama made for mature audiences, directed by D. W. Griffith.  This film illustrates the work of cinematographer Billy Bitzer, a star of Silent Hall of Fame.

Cheng (Richard Barthelmess) leaves his native China to spread the peaceful teachings of Buddha.  In London, working as a store keeper, he is soon crushed by life's realities, from which he escapes temporarily using opium.  

In the same neighborhood lives a tender young girl named Lucy (Lillian Gish), who is constantly abused by her brutal father (Donald Crisp).  One day, after being mercilessly whipped by him, Lucy wanders the streets and collapses in Cheng's home.  He nurses her back to health and the two outcast souls develop a tender platonic bond.  For Lucy this is the first time in her life that someone is good to her, and for Cheng this revives his forgotten youthful dreams.  

The dreams end abruptly when Lucy's father learns that she is with the Chinese man and the end is tragic.

This is a heartbreaking story of despair, hope, love and tragedy.  The film has not lost any of its luster almost a century after its release.

In 1996, "Broken Blossoms" (1919) was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".  The film enjoys a strong 7.6 rating in IMDB.

Directed by                D. W. Griffith
Produced by              Adolph Zukor
Scenario by               D. W. Griffith          
Based on                   the short story "The Chink and the Child" by Thomas Burke
Starring                     Lillian Gish, Richard Barthelmess, Donald Crisp
Cinematography         Billy Bitzer
Editing by                  James Smith
Distributed by             United Artists
Release date              20 October 1919
Running time              90 min.
Country                      United States
Language                   Silent film, English intertitles

You can see a slideshow of stills from this film and other interesting stuff on our website silent-hall-of-fame.org.

Silent Hall of Fame is the only place where we actively work to bring back from oblivion the names and legacy of formerly illustrious silent movie stars, which have made a major contribution to the industry and the world but do not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

We also fight for your right, the right of the public, to see silent masterpieces that have been kept in hidden vaults for far too long. Our website streams for free one such masterpiece that has not been seen in 85 years and is not available anywhere else.

Please visit our website to watch quality silent films absolutely free and to support the legacy of silent movie stars with your tax deductible contribution.

Silent Hall of Fame has started an online campaign to begin raising funds for the nomination of our first star for the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All contributions are tax deductible. Here is the web page:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-a-silent-movie-star-for-the-w...
Please spread the word about the campaign and Silent Hall of Fame and help your favorite silent star receive belated recognition and glory.

Silent Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization Preserving the legacy of silent movie stars http://silent-hall-of-fame.org/

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