Way Down East (1920)

In the world of privilege and pleasure, resides the heartless rich, epitomized by Lennox, who seeks nothing beyond their own amusement. Unbeknownst to the grim realities of his deceit, Anna, an innocent country lass, is lured into a sham marriage by this wealthy womanizer. Believing it to be a clandestine but genuine union, she surrenders herself only to be abandoned when she falls pregnant. Left alone with her child, Trust Lennox, she must navigate the world single-handedly. Tragedy strikes when the baby dies, propelling Anna into a life of wandering, her spirit tainted by the harsh cruelty of bearing a child out of wedlock. Her journey brings her to the home of Squire Bartlett, where she finds employment and a semblance of stability. There, she catches the eye of David, who falls for her resilience and strength. However, haunted by her past, she shies away from his affections. The ghost of her past returns when Lennox, lusting after Kate, re-enters her life, attempting to whisk her away. However, Anna stands her ground, keeping her silence about his past transgressions. When her secret is unveiled by the town's gossip, Martha, Squire Bartlett, outraged, casts Anna into a snowstorm. Not before, though, the once naive country girl reveals the respected Lennox's true identity - the father of her late child and the man who ruined her. In "Way Down East," a tale of deception, resilience, and redemption unfolds, painting a vivid portrait of a woman's struggle against societal judgment and her journey to reclaim her dignity.

Way Down East is a drama movie featuring Lillian Gish and directed by D.W. Griffith.

Way Down East is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, The Film Detective and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, Classix, FlixFling, IndieFlix, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy Way Down East on Amazon Video, FlixFling and Kino Now.