Broken Blossoms (1919)

In the grit and grime of East London's Limehouse District, fifteen-year-old Lucy, the illegitimate child of the brutish boxer and alcoholic Battling Burrows, struggles to survive. Her life, marred by destitution and abuse, offers no respite from her father's violent temperament. Amidst this hardship, Cheng Huan, a Chinese immigrant and humble shop owner, becomes the only beacon of kindness in her bleak existence. Cheng, initially a missionary, arrived in England with dreams of spreading the peaceful teachings of Buddha amongst the indifferent and intolerant Anglo-Saxons. Disheartened, he finds refuge in managing a small shop, where he first glimpses the battered but beautiful Lucy. Despite her ragged appearance and undernourished state, Cheng perceives an intrinsic beauty in Lucy, kindling a love that blossoms from afar. When Lucy collapses from exhaustion and malnourishment outside his shop, Cheng seizes the opportunity to nurse her back to health. He swathes her in silks, feeds her, and provides her with a sanctuary she's never known before. A silent promise of protection emanates from him, as he watches over her through the night, finding a renewed purpose in life. However, this peaceful interlude is shattered when Battling Burrows discovers his daughter's whereabouts. Unleashing his twisted sense of what is right, he threatens to disrupt the fragile haven that Cheng has created for Lucy. Amidst societal pressures and racial tensions, Cheng and Lucy must navigate the treacherous waters of their forbidden relationship, a testament to love's endurance against all odds.

Broken Blossoms is a drama movie featuring Lillian Gish.

Broken Blossoms is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Public Domain Movies, The Film Detective and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, Fandor Amazon Channel, FlixFling, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy Broken Blossoms on Amazon Video and FlixFling.