Review of The Birth of a Nation (1915) by Jeremy S — 16 Nov 2010

As for its technical merits and its position in the history of cinema this is undoubtedly a classic deserving of a five star rating. However, I think the substance of the film even by the standards and mores of 1915 is backward and insulting. The racism in the film would not be offensive if it were just offered as an example of a very real history in the context of that time period. But Griffith goes out of his way to portray blacks as untamed animals. The treatment of these caricatures ranges from patronizing to hostile. The villainy of even the white characters is rooted in the cynical influence of mulattoes or blacks. On top of that, every character of color in the film (besides a few extras) was a white person in heavy makeup.

I wish this had been given as an historical narrative of post Civil War reconstruction and its effect on the South, even the story of how the Klan came into existence. Those are actual events which should be told in fact and with an unbiased account perhaps this film could have achieved so much more. Instead, Griffith felt the need to editorialize historical events with a silly plot and the glorification of racist vigilantes. As a Southerner myself, I find this film less than helpful in dispelling some of the myths of my heritage. While I freely admit that Griffith's version of things was shared by many, the tacit admission on his part that the races couldn't possibly be equal is still wrong and shameful in the views of many more where I come from.

I put off watching this film for many years simply because I was aware of the sermon it preached. I had even hoped before finally seeing it that much of the fuss was due to the same politically correct mindset that banned the Disney classic The Song of the South, a great movie with a very positive portrayal of blacks during slavery. Sadly, The Birth of a Nation was much worse than I imagined. There are things that can't be ignored or excused away, and there is no redemptive figure, like Uncle Remus, among the black characters. Even the "faithful souls" are minstrels fit for mocking. But despite all of these things I can't deny this film's importance. It is a time capsule and should be viewed as such. My rating is based on that alone.