Directed by:
D.W. GriffithCinematography:
G.W. BitzerCast:
Lillian Gish, Richard Barthelmess, Donald Crisp, Edward Peil Sr., George Beranger, George Nichols, Wilbur HigbyVOD (1)
Plots(1)
Based on "The Chink and the Child", a story by Thomas Burke, Broken Blossoms is one of D.W. Griffith's most poetic films. Richard Barthelmess plays a young Chinese aristocrat who hopes to spread the gospel of his Eastern religion to the grimy corners of London's Limehouse district. Rapidly disillusioned, Barthelmess opens a curio shop and takes to smoking opium. One evening, Lillian Gish, the waif-like daughter of drunken prizefighter Donald Crisp, collapses on Barthelmess' doorstep after enduring one more of her father's brutal beatings. Barthelmess shelters the girl, providing her with the love and kindness that she has never known. Crisp, offended that his daughter is living with a "heathen," forces the girl to return home with him. In a terrible drunken rage, Crisp beats Lillian to death. Barthelmess arrives on the scene, kills Crisp, then kneels beside Lillian's body and takes his own life. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
![Lillian Gish](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/267/267993_5842ea.jpg)
Lillian Gish
USA
Best movies:
The Wind (1928)
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Through the Ages (1916)
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
![Richard Barthelmess](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/269/269445_d29f78.jpg)
Richard Barthelmess
USA
Best movies:
Only Angels Have Wings (1939)
Way Down East (1920)
Snow White (1916)
![Donald Crisp](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/348/164348302_4868f8.jpg)
Donald Crisp
UK
Best movies:
The Viking (1928)
The Sea Hawk (1940)
The Dawn Patrol (1938)
![Edward Peil Sr.](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/589/160589573_1bd565.gif)
Edward Peil Sr.
USA
Best movies:
Love Crazy (1941)
Captains Courageous (1937)
Storm Warning (1951)
![George Beranger](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/161/234/161234281_9358e4.jpg)
George Beranger
Australia
Best movies:
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Through the Ages (1916)
The Big Parade (1925)
The Half-Breed (1916)
George Nichols
USA
Best movies:
The Eagle (1925)
Hearts of the World (1918)
The Wedding March (1928)
Wilbur Higby
USA
Best movies:
True Heart Susie (1919)
Broken Blossoms (1919)