Review of The Birth of a Nation (1915) by Tyler P — 24 Dec 2009

Many times when watching film I have to remind myself to gather the information I am receiving visually and place it in context with the time the film was made. In this film it is blatantly impossible to do so.

While the film is a cinematic and technical masterwork, elevating the art form to a higher level, the despicable and overt racism at the core of the film reduces that which the film is lauded for. The outright disgusting portrayal of blacks in this film is unnerving.

They are almost always white men painted in black face. They are often portrayed as buffoonish, ignorant and animalistic. In this portrayal Griffith sub-humanizes black man on a level rarely seen on film.

The film portends the telling of our nation's coming of age when really the message being delivered is that of a ruling white class and it's failure in it's own abilities to deal with it's fears and faults, The white male fear of miscegenation is another strong component of the message delivered.

The climactic battle scene sums the film up perfectly. While charging to battle the Klansmen ride to Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries. Ostensibly to save the day, this imparts a heroism to their action and deed.

During their victory parade afterwards, "Dixie" plays, suggesting (correctly so) an extended life to the south and it's tragic conception of their idyllic life/reality. To end the film Griffith waxes poetically about peace as we hear the Star Spangled Banner suggesting we are a peaceful nation, righteous with liberty and equality for all.

This is the biggest lie that Griffith tells his audience. Cinematically the film is masterful. Thematically it is a complete load of garbage that sickens my stomach.