Review of The Birth of a Nation (1915) by Thomas P — 30 Aug 2013

First off, let me acknowledge that I completely understand why Birth of a Nation is a landmark film. If you are interested in film history it truly should be on your list of essential viewing. HOWEVER, let's be honest, being important for technical reasons and being a good movie are two very different things. I am amazed reading through so many of these reviews how people will readily admit not enjoying watching it then still give it five stars simply because the techniques used to make it were innovative. Even if we ignore the fact that every scene is horrifyingly racist (the lesson of the film is that the KKK was an essential response to the oppression white southerners were experiencing from newly freed slaves, I mean come on people!!!), it still doesn't hold up as being enjoyable at all. It is way too long, boring, emotionally distant (you are never given a chance to connect with or care about any of the characters), the plot is both historically inaccurate and not compelling whatsoever... altogether it's just a mess.

That being said, I will reiterate my point that students of history ought to watch this for its historic significance. But let's be honest in our discussion, this is a very unfortunate piece of movie history that's important to watch and not to enjoy. So everyone please, stop giving it positive reviews.