This is one of D.W. Griffith's "lesser films." He was in artistic decline, and his finances were in disorder. At this time, he was trying to satisfy his First National contract to help finance his pictures for United Artists. "The Greatest Question" does appear, I think, rather slipshod, as a result. Perhaps partly due to the awful condition of the print I saw, I didn't see much of note in the location shooting, either. What I noticed was an overly sensational, melodramatic and derivative story.
Griffith's diminutive productions seem to emphasize the flaws always inherent but overlooked in his better, often more spectacular, films that overcame them. Here, the ornate intertitles are plentiful. The acting is often too broad, with the exception of Lillian Gish, of course. And, once again, Gish acts out Griffith's rapacious fantasies as a virginal pubescent, who's saved just in time from being raped. Additionally, there's a condescending representation of African Americans intended for amusement, and there's some newsy hooey about spiritualism thrown in.
Griffith's diminutive productions seem to emphasize the flaws always inherent but overlooked in his better, often more spectacular, films that overcame them. Here, the ornate intertitles are plentiful. The acting is often too broad, with the exception of Lillian Gish, of course. And, once again, Gish acts out Griffith's rapacious fantasies as a virginal pubescent, who's saved just in time from being raped. Additionally, there's a condescending representation of African Americans intended for amusement, and there's some newsy hooey about spiritualism thrown in.