Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film, Vol. 1 -- The Pioneers is this first installment in the documentary miniseries directed by Kevin Brownlow. Produced by Thames Television in the U.K., the 13-part series was broadcast on HBO in 1980. This volume focuses on the penny arcades and early short experiments that evolved into feature films like The Great Train Robbery and The Birth of a Nation. Includes footage from Wings (1927), The Wind (1928), and Noah's Ark (1928), along with interviews from Hollywood legends Lillian Gish, Blanche Sweet, and King Vidor. Features narration by James Mason. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi