Review of The Birth of a Nation (1915) by Matt M — 12 Jan 2013
Plagued by its unfair reputation as a long, boring and racist film, this DW film is demanding, but still has a place among the American masterpieces. The film is a sympathetic and glorified story of the foundations of the Ku Klux Klan.
Its storyline is amazingly innovative, touching on events such as the Civil War, the assassination of Lincoln (in a memorable sequence) and the beginnings of the KKK, and it is all brought to the screen in a most spectacular way, with an innovative use of cinematography and analogic editing very aware of pace and importance of scenario.
Griffith made a film on racism from a racist point of view, thus already distancing himself from the politically correct boundaries and daringly claiming (or powerfully demanding) that cinema be treated as art and thus be allowed complete freedom of expression; whether it is tasteless and a film of dangerous propaganda, it is completely up to the individual viewer to judge.
It's importance and majesty as well as a reputation as one of the first American cinematic masterpieces is simply unquestionable.
This review of The Birth of a Nation (1915) was written by Matt M on 12 Jan 2013.
The Birth of a Nation has generally received mixed reviews.
Was this review helpful?
