Review of The Birth of a Nation (1915) by Justin R — 06 Nov 2010

Many film historians consider this to be the single most influential movie of all time, and it's understandable why when you read all the innovations that Griffith used for the first time ever here. So if I were to be judging it for its place in history, it would get a resounding five stars.

Based on the novel "The Clansman", the movie's message is astoundingly racist, with the (former) slaves as horrid villains and their white supporters as deluded fools. The KKK are the heroes who return justice to the land, and especially the second part presents complete fabrications as history. The Klan was practically revived because of this movie. Poignant in the circumstances is the fact that all the black characters that interact with white ones are played by white actors painted to look black.

So, historically significant far beyond the medium of film, check. But the same can be said for Battleship Potemkin, another milestone in film, but also an inspiration for the Nazi's when they developed their propaganda, thus having an impact on world history. And Potemkin seen as just a movie retains far more power than Birth does. 200+ minutes of silent film with characters that look so alike that half the time I had no idea who was miming on screen, is a bit much, even for me. Whilst there are scenes that really sink in, there are also endless bits that drag on, and which the modern movie-goer can find nothing but tedious.