`Intolerance' is likely D.W. Griffith's most ambitious film and, in the evolution of cinema, perhaps the boldest production ever assembled. In order to illuminate mankind's proclivity for intolerance, Griffith interweaves four separate stories from four very different time periods. I admire Griffith's gusto, but he aims too high. Although all four episodes address the same themes and occasionally add extra levels of significance to each other, only two are dramatically potent. The film would have benefited greatly had Griffith chosen to skip over his parables of Jesus' crucifixion and the French Revolution. He then would have had greater room to expand his commentary on modern injustice and to have more fun with his huge, elaborate Babylonian sets.
Rating: 7
Rating: 7