Review of The Birth of a Nation (1915) by John C — 03 Aug 2012

This is an outstanding example of filmmaking with word "epic" stamped all over it. Starring a remarkable cast with a beautiful orchestrated score, this (obviously) isn't a very accurate depiction of 1800s America, but it is full of visual splendour, including G.W. Bitzer's cinematography, as well as the production design and costumes.

The pace is satisfactory; interest is gradual, with some outstanding battle scenes, but the film is in full force when the Abraham's Lincoln's assassination reconstruction is brilliantly presented in detail. Less satisfying is the fictitious second part. Even though it is superior on the technical side of things, its representation of African Americans behaving uncivilised in a parliamentary setting is considerably offensive (one man takes off his shoes and another can be seen eating meat savagely). Furthermore, Ku Klux Klan members are represented as heroes, dramatically and spectacularly charging into town to rescue the whites from the evil blacks.

With his screen adaptation of author Thomas Dixon Jr's best-selling novel, D.W. Griffith has delivered a landmark piece of cinema, with solid production values, structure, narrative, et. al.

A must-see for anyone who loves to go to the movies.