Hidden Genre Gems for Fans of The Struggle: Cult Guide

Dir: D.W. Griffith

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: D.W. Griffith

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Fall of Babylon perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

In the last days of ancient Babylon, a tomboyish mountain girl fights for her king when the city is attacked.

Dir: D.W. Griffith

Frank Andrews is a successful businessman. He has always found pride and joy in the company of his wife, son and daughter. He suddenly finds himself enthralled by the advances of a gay young woman siren, who lives in the same apartment house as he does. So marked an influence does she have over him as time progresses that at last he quite forgets his home ties, neglects his family, and goes the way of many other men who have forgotten the meaning of paternity and blood ties. The story is advanced through many scenes enacted with the accompanying notes of New York's night life, and the denouement comes when the faithful wife discovers her husband's infidelity. At this time the mother's mind nearly loses balance, while Jane, the beautiful daughter, crazed by the grief of her mother, determines to take part in the tragedy. With revolver in hand she steals up to the apartment of the woman, but her frail nature is overcome by the temperamental anger of the woman and her mission fails. However, the errand is not fraught with failure for the father, coming in at this moment, finds his daughter being made love to by the sweetheart of the young woman, and realizes the road upon which he has traveled. When he confronts his daughter and says, "You, my daughter, what are you doing here?" The daughter answers, "My father, what are you doing here?" The realization is brought home to the father's mind that the law of moral ethics that governs a woman's life necessarily governs that of wan as well. Reformation comes in his character. He takes his daughter away with him and together they go back to their home of happiness and content.

Dir: D.W. Griffith

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Battle of the Sexes perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

A dramatic comparison between the mating habits of animals and the way humans choose their own partners.

Dir: D.W. Griffith

A religious woman seeks to save her people from destruction by seducing and murdering the enemy leader, but her plans get complicated once she falls for him.

Dir: D.W. Griffith

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Escape perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

John Howard Payne at his most miserable point in life, writes a song which becomes popular and inspires other people at some point in their lives.

Dir: D.W. Griffith

Four historical tales depict the ongoing human struggle against prejudice and inhumanity.

Dir: D.W. Griffith

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Judith of Bethulia perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

The Stoneman family finds its friendship with the Camerons affected by the Civil War, both fighting in opposite armies. The development of the war in their lives plays through to Lincoln's assassination and the birth of the Ku Klux Klan.

Dir: D.W. Griffith

A frail waif, abused by her brutal boxer father in London's seedy Limehouse District, is befriended by a sensitive Chinese immigrant with tragic consequences.

Dir: D.W. Griffith

Prevented from dating his sweetheart by his uncle, a young man turns his thoughts to murder.