Broken Blossoms (1919) | Full Silent Film | Public Domain

Library last generated: 2026-01-08 14:23 LOCAL

Watch on YouTube If playback fails, open YouTube.

Broken Blossoms (1919) | Full Silent Film | Public Domain Cast: - Lillian Gish as Lucy Burrows - Richard Barthelmess as Cheng Huan - Donald Crisp as Battling Burrows Plot Summary: Broken Blossoms is a poignant silent drama directed by D.W. Griffith that tells the story of a fragile friendship between Cheng Huan, a gentle Chinese immigrant, and Lucy Burrows, a troubled young girl trapped in an abusive home in London's gritty Limehouse district. As their worlds collide, Cheng offers Lucy a glimpse of kindness and hope amidst the darkness surrounding her. The film explores themes of cultural misunderstanding, innocence, and the devastation of violence. Film History: Released in 1919, Broken Blossoms is considered one of D.W. Griffith’s most sensitive and beautifully visualized works. It stands out for its atmospheric cinematography, expressive performances—especially by Lillian Gish—and its early exploration of social issues such as race, poverty, and domestic abuse. The film helped cement Gish’s status as one of silent cinema’s greatest actresses and pushed the boundaries of storytelling in early Hollywood. Public Domain Notice: This film was released in 1919 and is now in the public domain. It can be freely viewed, shared, and distributed. Enjoy this classic piece of cinematic history! --- For more silent classics, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!