The Girl Who Stayed at Home is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. The story follows two brothers, Ralph and Jim Grey, who take different paths as World War I unfolds. Ralph enlists and travels to France, where he falls in love with Atoline "Blossom" Le France, the granddaughter of a Confederate expatriate. Meanwhile, Jim, a carefree young man, tries to evade the draft but is eventually conscripted. As the war intensifies, the brothers reunite in the trenches, facing danger and heroism. Back home, their sweethearts wait anxiously, navigating their own struggles. The film is known for its patriotic themes, emotional storytelling, and Griffith’s signature cinematic techniques, making it a compelling entry in early silent cinema.
**Credential** Directed by D. W. Griffith Produced by D. W. Griffith Starring Richard Barthelmess, Carol Dempster, Robert Harron, Clarine Seymour, Tully Marshall Screenplay by D. W. Griffith, Stanner E. V. Taylor Cinematography by G. W. Bitzer
This film captures the emotional toll of war, contrasting the battlefield with the sacrifices made by those left behind.
