Broken Blossoms

When the Father Of Film released this picture in 1919, almost no film artist could escape its influence. Broken Blossoms is a harrowing melodrama in which a gentle Chi... more >

When the Father Of Film released this picture in 1919, almost no film artist could escape its influence. Broken Blossoms is a harrowing melodrama in which a gentle Chinese missionary becomes a small shopkeeper in London's Limehouse and falls in love with a poor girl brutalized by her father. She escapes after one such beating and collapses in front of Cheng Huan's shop, who lovingly takes care of her. It is the only hopeful moment in the film, destroyed when Lucy's father returns to discover her whereabouts. Although terribly sad and violent, the performances of the Chinese and the little girl by Richard Barthelmess and Lillian Gish are supremely spiritual. Beautifully tinted and eloquently moving, Griffith's film has always been immortal. < less

View all 38 of Wolfram Parge’s reviews

A tragic tale of inter-racial friendship, in which a gentle Chinese man shelters an innocent and fragile young woman from a brutal father- is a tender and delicate min... more >

A tragic tale of inter-racial friendship, in which a gentle Chinese man shelters an innocent and fragile young woman from a brutal father- is a tender and delicate miniature, blessed with an inspired studio recreation of London's Limehouse area and a heart-tugging performance of extraordinary spiritual radiance from Lillian Gish. < less

View all 51 of John Davies’s reviews

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DVD Extras

• Includes star profiles

Film Details

Cast

Lillian Gish

Technical Details