Two Classic D.W. Griffith Films Heading to Blu-ray (Updated)

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Two Classic D.W. Griffith Films Heading to Blu-ray (Updated)

Posted August 26, 2011 05:57 PM by Webmaster

Independent distributors Kino Video have revealed that they will release on Blu-ray two legendary films by director D.W. Griffith: a three-disc The Birth of a Nation (1915) Blu-ray package and Way Down East (1920). The preliminary release dates for both releases is November 22.

Special features:

The Birth of a Nation - Supplements updated
  • 2011 HD remaster of the film
  • Griffith Masterworks DVD edition of the film
  • The Making of The Birth of a Nation (1992, 24 min. Produced by David Shepard)
  • Filmed prologue to The Birth of a Nation (1930, 6 min. Featuring D. W. Griffith and Walter Huston)
  • Civil War Shorts directed by D. W. Griffith:
    - In the Border States (1910, 16 min.)
    - The House with the Closed Shutters (1910, 17 min.)
    - The Fugitive (1910, 17 min.)
    - His Trust (1910, 14 min.)
    - His Trust Fulfilled (1910, 11 mins.)
    - Swords and Hearts (1911, 16 mins.)
    - The Battle (1911, 17 mins.)
  • New York vs. The Birth of a Nation -- an archive of information documenting the battles over the film's 1922 re-release, including protests by the NAACP, transcripts of meetings, legal documents, newspaper articles, and a montage of scenes ordered cut by the New York Censor Board.
  • PLUS: Excerpts from The Birth of a Nation souvenir book (1915) and several original programs

Way Down East
  • Score compiled from historic photoplay music, performed by The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra (2.0 Stereo)
  • Excerpts from Lottie Blair Parker's original play
  • Photos of William Brady's 1903 stage version
  • Film Clip: The ice floe sequence of the Edison Studio's production of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
  • Image gallery, including the original souvenir program book
  • Notes on the preparation of the music score