David Wark Griffith was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is considered one of the pioneers of cinema and one of the most important and influential directors of all time.
Griffith was born in La Grange, Kentucky, on January 22, 1875. After dropping out of college, he began working as a journalist in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1907, he moved to New York City to work in film.
David Wark Griffith had been a bad actor who occasionally worked in theaters in provincial towns and urban ghettos. During those years he was well acquainted with the psychology and way of thinking of the sub-urban proletarian and the people of the small towns, better than any film producer in business at the time. They were people who adored low quality plays, often mediocre tragedies or comedy. They went mad for blood and crude farce. Good and evil had to be clearly divided: the good and the heroes on the one hand, the bad and the evil on the other.
David Wark Griffith is one of the most famous directors in the history of cinema, inventor of the basis of the language of cinema. The importance of him is essentially due to two blockbuster films: Birth of a nation and Intolerance.
The Analytical Editing
But the director had already made many short films and had been conducting research on the language of cinema for some time like many other directors-pioneers of early cinema. David Griffith has credited himself with The Invention of analytical editing but today we know that this is not the case. The real inventors of framing as the basic unit of cinematographic language were directors of the Brighton school.
Before them, such as in Méliès films, cinema was thought of as theater. A single total shot of a fixed scene where the action took place entirely. The Brighton filmmakers were the first to understand that instead of the basic element of filmmaking, it was the shot and not the scene. Above all because with it you could show details and expressions of the actors decisive for a more in-depth narrative development.
The great celebrity of Griffith’s two colossals attributed to the innovation of the cinematographic language is actually one of the first cases in which the big film studios plunder and attribute to themselves inventions actually created by independent filmmakers. The directors of the Brighton school were craftsmen exactly like George Méliès. They also became known outside the UK. But they didn’t have David Griffith’s great advertising resources available.
Griffith, however, thanks also to economic resources, manages to organize these new codes of the cinematographic language in a more structured way. He probably uses them in a more convincing way and shows them in a context of high impact images
David Griffith Becomes Producer
In 1910 David Griffith reviewed the biography of him his production company Triangle film Corporation. At Biograph, the production company he worked for, they didn’t want to give him bigger budgets to carry out his ambitious projects. Furthermore, at Biograph the producers had total control of the film and did not insert the director’s name or the actors’ name on the posters and advertising material. Triangle film aimed to make historical, western and comic films. He wanted to satisfy all the demands of the public with the main genres of the time.
Griffith’s Legacy
The use of editing she had done in his films nevertheless marked future productions forever. A few years later the directors of the Soviet school took his work as an example to look for new ways of expression in cinema. Cinema was never the same. Scenes begin to be segmented into various shots in ever more ingenious and complex ways. Editing became the main tool to establish a relationship with the characters, to excite, and above all to give the director the personal vision of a certain event that comes to life on the screen.
Judith of Bethulia (1914)
Judith of Bethulia (1914) is an epic silent film directed by David Wark Griffith. The film is based on the biblical story of Judith and tells the story of a woman who saves her city, Bethulia, from an Assyrian siege.
Judith of Bethulia was one of the most expensive films ever made at the time and used a number of innovative film techniques, including parallel editing and deep focus. The film was a major commercial and critical success and helped to solidify Griffith’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s most important directors.
The film is set in the 5th century BC and tells the story of Judith, a widow who lives in Bethulia, a city under siege by the Assyrians. The siege has been so severe that the city is on the verge of surrender.
Judith decides to save her city and disguises herself as a prostitute to seduce Holofernes, the Assyrian commander. Judith seduces Holofernes and, once he is asleep, beheads him. Holofernes’ head is brought to Bethulia and the Assyrians retreat.
The film was praised for its direction, set design, and performances. Blanche Sweet won an award for her performance as Judith.
Judith of Bethulia is a classic of silent cinema and continues to be enjoyed today. The film is an example of Griffith’s talent as a director and his ability to tell compelling stories.
Here are some additional details about the film:
- The film was based on the play Judith and the Holofernes (1896) by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, which was itself an adaptation of the Book of Judith.
- The film was shot in California and used a number of special effects, including a miniature city of Bethulia and a life-size model of Holofernes’ head.
- The film was released in the United States on March 8, 1914.
Analysis of the film:
Judith of Bethulia is a powerful and moving film that explores themes of faith, courage, and sacrifice. The film is also a technical achievement, using a number of innovative film techniques to create a visually stunning and immersive experience.
The film’s use of parallel editing is particularly effective in creating a sense of suspense and tension. For example, in one scene, Judith is seducing Holofernes while the city of Bethulia is under siege. The two scenes are intercut, creating a sense of urgency and danger.
The film’s use of deep focus is also notable. This technique allows the viewer to see both the foreground and background of a scene in sharp focus. This creates a sense of realism and depth, helping the viewer to feel as if they are part of the story.
Blanche Sweet’s performance as Judith is also noteworthy. She is both strong and vulnerable, creating a complex and sympathetic character.
Overall, Judith of Bethulia is a landmark film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The film is a testament to Griffith’s talent as a director and his ability to tell stories that resonate with audiences for generations to come.
Birth of a Nation (1915)
Griffith wanted to sign his films. Furthermore, he wanted a creative autonomy that was not granted to him. He then decided to independently carry out his colossal Birth of a Nation.
Griffith, who evidently was not only a good director but also a capable business man, managed to find a huge budget for his film, higher than any other film made up to that point. About a hundred thousand dollars at the time.
The film tells the story of the American Secession from the point of view of two families lined up on two opposing warring factions. The director heard the story a lot about him because he came from a southern family that had been ruined by the war. Filming lasted nearly six months and Birth of a Nation was released in early 1915 in American cinemas. The film was harshly criticized for portraying members of the Klu Klux Clan as heroes. Griffith was accused of racism.
But Birth of a Nation is presented as a work that will forever revolutionize the history of films. A long editing work will produce a film with an engaging rhythm, very different from the films seen up to that point. A score for images, a rhythm that tends to climax in the final part of the story, as we are used to in modern cinema.
The camera is very mobile and captures the scene from different angles and points of view. Although this is not the first time you have seen cut-outs in close-ups and reverse shots, no one has ever used them so dynamically. Editing becomes a tool to excite and make the director’s vision understood.
David Griffith was inspired by the Italian historical blockbusters that he had been fascinated by and that he wanted to imitate, but he had created something more innovative. Griffith’s vision of the world and human is much less convincing. It is a Manichean vision that divides good from evil, good from bad in a rather stereotypical way. With the sharing of the racist vision of the two novels of the Baptist pastor Thomas Dixon from which it is based, very deplorable.
But the birth of a nation was a resounding success and the controversy only increased its publicity. It was also this success that probably contributed to the fame of the film as a new form of cinematographic language. Probably in the same period, even more innovative imagery stories of Birth of a Nation were made. Movies that have been lost or forgotten.
Birth of a nation was seen by millions of Americans and marked their imagination. It also changed the approach of the American film industry which realized that a lot of money could be made by spending a lot on the production of expensive blockbusters. Birth of a nation is the first seed from which the great Hollywood studios developed in the following years.
Intolerance (1916)
As a director he only made one other film, Intolerance. His strongest motivation was to give an answer to millions of people who had accused him of racism. David Griffith said several times that he was misunderstood and that racism was not his point of view of him in Birth of a Nation.
So I make a huge colossal divided into four stories that showed intolerance among human beings through the centuries. In one of the stories he reconstructs Ancient Babylon with incredible sets, thousands of extras, spectacular costumes. An almost 3 and a half hour long film that takes the viewer on a journey through 2500 years of history.
Once again David Griffith creates something amazing that has never been seen before, and introduces a technique that has made famous directors much more modern: the parallel editing technique.
In fact, the four episodes of the film alternate continuously with each other as the story proceeds towards the conclusion, divided into chapters by the image of a woman, the famous actress Lillian Gish, who moves a cradle in a room empty illuminated by a ray of light. A symbolic image that represents the passage of time.
The film is full of grandiose camera movements made with tall cranes or even with hot air balloons that take off to enhance the gigantic scenes of Intolerance.
The film was produced by Griffith himself with the great Birth of a Nation earnings. The director created a huge advertising campaign by putting his name everywhere, in an excess of megalomania and self-centeredness. He wanted to get rid of the weight of racist accusations that weighed on his shoulders.
But the film was a total fiasco. He tried to reassemble several versions in the following years to meet the public’s favor. In fact, there are countless versions of Intolerance. But it doesn’t do any good. Griffith lost much of the fortune he had accumulated with his previous film.
So much so that a few years later he had to close his production company and go back to work for others. His unbridled ambition and self-centeredness, and his urgent need to shelter his public image as a racist with a new film, had cost him bankruptcy.
Intolerance also appears to be a waste of money and resources that is not always necessary, a grandiosity of staging as an end in itself. Griffith had wanted to exaggerate and celebrate himself by overcoming the limits of any previous film production. That didn’t work out.
Hearts of the World (1918)
Hearts of the World (1918) is a propaganda film directed by David Wark Griffith. The film is set during World War I and tells the story of a group of people living in a French village that is occupied by the Germans.
The film was a huge commercial and critical success, and was one of the most-watched films in the world in 1918. The film was praised for its direction, set design, and performances.
Plot:
The film is set in a French village called Fleury-devant-Douaumont. The village is home to people from different social classes and religions.
When World War I breaks out, the village is occupied by the Germans. The Germans are cruel and oppress the villagers.
A group of young villagers decide to join the French army to fight the Germans. The young people fight bravely and eventually liberate the village from German occupation.
Analysis:
Hearts of the World is a propaganda film that is intended to support the cause of the Allies in World War I. The film portrays the Germans as a cruel and barbaric people, while the Allies are painted as a valiant and just people.
The film was also praised for its direction, set design, and performances. Griffith used a number of innovative film techniques, including parallel editing and deep focus. The set designs were carefully recreated to recreate the atmosphere of World War I. The performances were highly acclaimed, particularly that of Lillian Gish, who plays the protagonist, Marguerite.
Legacy:
Hearts of the World is an important film in the history of cinema. The film was one of the first propaganda films and helped to spread the idea that film could be used for political purposes. The film is also an example of Griffith’s talent as a director and his ability to tell compelling stories.
Additional details about the film:
- The film was shot in France and England.
- The film used a number of special effects, including a miniature of the village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont.
- The film was released in the United States on September 22, 1918.
Criticisms:
Hearts of the World was also criticized for its portrayal of the Germans. The film was accused of being antisemitic and of spreading negative stereotypes about Germans.
Here are some additional thoughts on the film:
- Hearts of the World is a powerful and moving film that effectively conveys the horrors of war. The film is also a reminder of the power of propaganda to shape public opinion.
- Griffith’s use of innovative film techniques in Hearts of the World is impressive. The film’s use of parallel editing, for example, is particularly effective in creating a sense of suspense and tension.
- Lillian Gish’s performance in Hearts of the World is one of her best. Gish is both strong and vulnerable, creating a complex and sympathetic character.
Overall, Hearts of the World is a landmark film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The film is a testament to Griffith’s talent as a director and his ability to tell stories that resonate with audiences for generations to come.
The Greatest Thing in Life (1918)
The Greatest Thing in Life (1918) is a silent drama film directed by David Wark Griffith. The film is set in the United States during World War I and tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a soldier who goes off to war.
Plot:
Edward Livingston is a wealthy young man from a prominent New York family. Jeannette Peret is the daughter of a modest tobacconist in Greenwich Village.
Edward and Jeannette meet and fall in love. However, their love is thwarted by Edward’s father, who disapproves of the relationship.
When war breaks out, Edward enlists in the army. Jeannette is devastated by Edward’s departure and begins working as a nurse to help wounded soldiers.
Meanwhile, Edward fights in France and becomes a war hero. However, he is seriously wounded and is hospitalized.
Jeannette travels to France to find Edward. When she finds him, he is in a coma. Jeannette cares for Edward and helps him to recover.
In the end, Edward and Jeannette are married and live happily ever after.
Analysis:
The Greatest Thing in Life is a romantic film that explores the themes of love, war, and loss. The film was praised for its direction, set design, and performances.
Griffith used a number of innovative film techniques, including parallel editing and deep focus. The film was shot in a variety of locations, including New York, France, and Italy.
The performances of Lillian Gish and Robert Harron were particularly praised. Gish was praised for her performance as Jeannette, a strong and independent young woman. Harron was praised for his performance as Edward, a brave and selfless young man.
Legacy:
The Greatest Thing in Life is an important film in the history of cinema. The film was one of the first films to explore the themes of war and love. The film is also an example of Griffith’s talent as a director and his ability to tell compelling stories.
Additional details about the film:
- The film was shot in New York, France, and Italy.
- The film used a variety of special effects, including battle scenes and hospital scenes.
- The film was released in the United States on October 17, 1918.
Criticisms:
The Greatest Thing in Life was also criticized for its portrayal of war. The film was accused of being too romanticized and of not showing the true brutality of war.
A Romance of Happy Valley (1919)
A Romance of Happy Valley (1919) is an American silent drama film directed by David Wark Griffith. The film is set in a fictional valley called Happy Valley and tells the story of a young farmer who falls in love with a wealthy city girl.
Plot:
John Logan junior is a young farmer who lives in Happy Valley. John is in love with Mary, the daughter of a wealthy landowner.
Mary is visiting Happy Valley with her father. John and Mary meet and fall in love.
However, their relationship is thwarted by Mary’s parents. Mary’s father disapproves of the relationship and forces Mary to return to the city.
John is devastated by Mary’s departure. He decides to go to the city to find Mary and convince her to return with him.
John finds Mary and tells her he loves her. Mary is reluctant at first, but she eventually agrees to marry John.
The two are married and live happily ever after in Happy Valley.
Analysis:
A Romance of Happy Valley is a romantic film that explores the themes of love, class, and the struggle to achieve one’s dreams. The film was praised for its direction, set design, and performances.
Griffith used a number of innovative film techniques, including parallel editing and deep focus. The film was shot in a variety of locations, including California and New Jersey.
The performances of Robert Harron and Lillian Gish were particularly praised. Harron was praised for his performance as John, a strong and determined young man. Gish was praised for her performance as Mary, an independent and courageous young woman.
Legacy:
A Romance of Happy Valley is an important film in the history of cinema. The film was one of the first films to explore the themes of class and the struggle to achieve one’s dreams. The film is also an example of Griffith’s talent as a director and his ability to tell compelling stories.
Additional details about the film:
- The film was shot in California and New Jersey.
- The film used a variety of special effects, including nature scenes and city scenes.
- The film was released in the United States on February 22, 1919.
Criticisms:
A Romance of Happy Valley was also criticized for its portrayal of class. The film was accused of being too idealized and of not showing the true reality of class.
Here are some additional thoughts on the film:
- A Romance of Happy Valley is a heartwarming and romantic film that is sure to please fans of classic cinema. The film is well-made and features strong performances from Harron and Gish.
- The film’s portrayal of class is somewhat idealized. The film portrays the relationship between John and Mary as being one of equals, despite their different social backgrounds. In reality, class differences would likely have been a more significant obstacle to their relationship.
- Despite its flaws, A Romance of Happy Valley is a well-made and enjoyable film that is worth watching. The film is a testament to Griffith’s talent as a director and his ability to tell compelling stories.
The Girl Who Stayed at Home (1919)
The Girl Who Stayed at Home is a silent American drama film directed by David Wark Griffith. The film is set during World War I and tells the story of a young woman who stays at home to care for her family while her husband is away fighting in the war.
Plot:
Mercy Gilbert is a young woman who is married to Robert Gilbert, a soldier who is fighting in World War I. Mercy stays at home to care for their two young children and her elderly parents.
While Robert is away, Mercy faces many challenges. She has to work hard to support her family and she has to deal with the anxiety of not knowing if Robert will return home safely.
Mercy is also tempted to have an affair with another man, but she resists the temptation. She remains faithful to Robert and she is determined to keep her family together.
In the end, Robert returns home from the war safe and sound. Mercy and Robert are reunited and they live happily ever after.
Analysis:
The Girl Who Stayed at Home is a wartime drama that explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience. The film was praised for its direction, cinematography, and performances.
Griffith used a number of innovative film techniques, including parallel editing and deep focus. The film was shot in a variety of locations, including New York and California.
The performance of Lillian Gish as Mercy was particularly praised. Gish was praised for her ability to convey Mercy’s strength, determination, and love for her family.
Legacy:
The Girl Who Stayed at Home is an important film in the history of cinema. The film was one of the first films to explore the experiences of women during World War I. The film is also an example of Griffith’s talent as a director and his ability to tell compelling stories.
Additional details about the film:
- The film was shot in New York and California.
- The film used a number of special effects, including war scenes and home front scenes.
- The film was released in the United States on March 9, 1919.
Criticisms:
The Girl Who Stayed at Home was also criticized for its portrayal of women. The film has been accused of being melodramatic and of portraying women as being victims of war.
Despite its flaws, The Girl Who Stayed at Home is a well-made and enjoyable film that is worth watching. The film is a testament to Griffith’s talent as a director and his ability to tell compelling stories.
Orphans of the Storm (1921)
Orphans of the Storm is a silent film directed by D.W. Griffith and starring Lillian and Dorothy Gish as two sisters separated during the French Revolution. The film is based on the popular 1874 French play Les Deux Orphelines by Adolphe d’Ennery and Eugène Cormon, which had been adapted for the American stage by N. Hart Jackson and Albert Marshman Palmer as The Two Orphans, premiering at Marshman Palmer’s Union Square Theatre.
The film begins with Henriette Gérard (Lillian Gish) and her blind sister Louise (Dorothy Gish) living in a small village with their father. After their father’s death, Henriette decides to take Louise to Paris to seek a cure for her blindness. However, the two sisters are separated when Henriette is kidnapped by the Marquis de Presle (Joseph Schildkraut), a lecherous aristocrat.
Louise is left alone and wanders the streets of Paris, eventually falling in with a street urchin named Picard (Monte Blue). Picard helps Louise to find work in a blind asylum, where she meets the kind and compassionate Sister Frochard (Frank Losee).
Meanwhile, Henriette is forced to become the Marquis’s mistress. However, she never gives up hope of finding her sister again. One day, Louise and Picard witness a public execution, and Louise recognizes Henriette among the victims.
With the help of Picard and Sister Frochard, Louise is able to rescue Henriette from the Marquis. The two sisters are reunited at last, just as the French Revolution breaks out.
Orphans of the Storm was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It is considered to be one of Griffith’s greatest films, and it is still praised today for its epic scope, its powerful performances, and its stunning visuals.
The film is also notable for its depiction of the French Revolution. Griffith was a staunch conservative, and his film reflects his negative views of the Revolution. However, the film also contains some sympathetic portrayals of the revolutionaries, and it offers a powerful glimpse into the chaos and violence of the period.
Orphans of the Storm is a classic of silent cinema, and it remains one of the most popular and influential films of the genre. It is a must-see for fans of silent film, as well as anyone interested in the history of cinema or the French Revolution.
Key themes
The film’s key themes are survival, sisterly love, and hope. The film also explores the themes of poverty, social inequality, and violence.
Analysis
Orphans of the Storm is an epic film that combines drama, action, and history. The film is known for its crowd scenes and elaborate action sequences. Griffith was a master of visual storytelling, and the film is full of iconic images, such as the public execution scene and the scene of the two sisters fleeing from the guillotine.
The film is also notable for its depiction of the French Revolution. Griffith was a conservative, and his film reflects his negative views of the Revolution. However, the film is also a realistic portrait of the chaos and violence of the period.
Orphans of the Storm is a powerful and moving film that is still relevant today. The film is a classic of silent cinema that is worth watching.
The Sorrows of Satan (1926)
The Sorrows of Satan is a 1926 silent film directed by D.W. Griffith. The screenplay is based on The Sorrows of Satan or The Strange Experience of One Geoffrey Tempest, Millionaire, a novel by Marie Corelli published in New York in 1895.
The film is set in Victorian London and tells the story of Geoffrey Tempest (Ricardo Cortez), a young, impoverished writer who makes a deal with the devil, Prince Lucio (Adolphe Menjou). In exchange for great wealth, Geoffrey must give up his soul.
Geoffrey begins to live a life of luxury and success, but he soon realizes he has made a mistake. Prince Lucio begins to torment him, causing him to succumb to temptation and sin.
Geoffrey meets Mavis Clare (Carol Dempster), a young woman who loves him for who he is. Mavis is the key to Geoffrey’s salvation, but Prince Lucio will stop at nothing to keep them apart.
The Sorrows of Satan is an ambitious and complex film that explores themes such as good and evil, temptation, and redemption. The film is known for its scenes of luxury and decadence, its action sequences, and the masterful performances of Ricardo Cortez and Adolphe Menjou.
Key themes
The film’s key themes are good and evil, temptation, and redemption. The film also explores the themes of wealth, power, and love.
Analysis
The Sorrows of Satan is a film that combines elements of melodrama, horror, and fantasy. The film is an allegory about the struggle between good and evil, and the nature of man.
The film is known for its scenes of luxury and decadence, which are a representation of the materialistic and corrupt world in which Geoffrey lives. The film is also known for its action sequences, which are an expression of Geoffrey’s internal struggle between good and evil.
Ricardo Cortez and Adolphe Menjou give masterful performances as their characters. Cortez is convincing in the role of Geoffrey, a man who is both charming and unsettling. Menjou is perfect in the role of Prince Lucio, an evil and seductive being.
The Sorrows of Satan is an ambitious and complex film that is still relevant today. The film is a classic of silent cinema that is worth watching.
Legacy
The Sorrows of Satan was a box office success, but it was also criticized for its depiction of the devil. The film was accused of being blasphemous and promoting Satanism.
Despite the criticism, The Sorrows of Satan is considered a classic of silent cinema. The film has been the subject of numerous studies and analyses, and it is still studied and appreciated by film enthusiasts.
Additional notes
The film was one of the most expensive silent films ever made, with a budget of over $2 million. It was also one of the most controversial, due to its depiction of the devil. The film was banned in some countries, and it was even attacked by religious groups in the United States.
Despite the controversy, The Sorrows of Satan remains a powerful and moving film. It is a classic of silent cinema that is still relevant today.
Drums of Love (1928)
Drums of Love is a 1928 silent film directed by David W. Griffith. The film is based on the novelette by Dante Alighieri, Paolo and Francesca.
The film is set in 19th century Brazil and tells the story of Emanuella (Mary Philbin), a princess who is forced to marry the Duke de Alvia (Lionel Barrymore), an ugly and hunchbacked man. Emanuella falls in love instead with the Duke’s brother, Leonardo (Don Alvarado), a young and handsome man. The two lovers are discovered and the Duke kills them both.
Drums of Love is a tragic film that explores the theme of forbidden love. The film is known for its passionate scenes and the masterful performances of Mary Philbin and Don Alvarado.
Key themes
The film’s key themes are forbidden love, passion, and death. The film also explores the themes of social class and revenge.
Analysis
Drums of Love is a film that combines elements of melodrama and tragedy. The film is an allegory about love that is destined to fail.
The film is known for its passionate scenes, which are an expression of the love between Emanuella and Leonardo. The film is also known for its scenes of death, which are an expression of the tragedy of forbidden love.
Mary Philbin and Don Alvarado give masterful performances as their characters. Philbin is convincing in the role of Emanuella, a woman who is both innocent and passionate. Alvarado is perfect in the role of Leonardo, a man who is both charming and tragic.
Drums of Love is a tragic film that is still relevant today. The film is a classic of silent cinema that is worth watching.
Legacy
Drums of Love was a box office success, but it was also criticized for its violence. The film was accused of being too realistic and of showing too much blood.
Despite the criticism, Drums of Love is considered a classic of silent cinema. The film has been the subject of numerous studies and analyses, and it is still studied and appreciated by film enthusiasts.
Additional notes
The film was one of the most expensive silent films ever made, with a budget of over $2 million. It was also one of the most controversial, due to its violence. The film was banned in some countries, and even attacked by religious groups in the United States.
Despite the controversy, Drums of Love remains a powerful and moving film. It is a classic of silent cinema that is still relevant today.
Differences between the novella and the film
Dante Alighieri’s novella tells the story of Paolo and Francesca, two young lovers who are killed by Francesca’s husband, Gianciotto Malatesta.
Griffith’s film makes several changes to the novella. First, it moves the setting from the 14th to the 19th century. Second, it changes the names of the characters: Emanuella is Francesca, Leonardo is Paolo, and the Duke de Alvia is Gianciotto Malatesta. Third, it removes some details from the novella, such as the presence of a third character, Guido da Montefeltro.
Griffith’s changes make the film more accessible to contemporary audiences. However, the film remains faithful to the spirit of the novella, telling the story of a forbidden love that is destined to fail.
