The Birth of a Nation

If you're sick of movies like The Blind Side (2009) and The Help (2011) teaching you about the white man's burden then you might really love D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915). The Birth of a Nation tells the story of the civil war and the subsequent restoration period from the southern perspective. In this film the KKK are the heroes and most black people are the bad guys (I say most because the film acknowledges that freed slaves who stayed submissive to their masters were good black people). The Birth of a Nation is silent, black and white, and just over three hours long, so I would have a hard time recommending it to anyone who did not fit into one or more of the following three categories:

1. You are interested in film history

If this applies to you then you'll probably enjoy this movie. The Birth of a Nation set the standard for feature length films and developed the narrative structure that has persisted in Hollywood to this day. Nearly every primitive special effect that Griffith invented for his films were used and reused by directors ever since.

2. You are interested in the American history

The history of The Birth of a Nation is a testament to the fluctuating view of race in America in the 1910s. It remains one of the most controversial films ever made, and upon its release was simultaneously celebrated and boycotted and banned all across the nation.

3. You are racist.

If you are racist and don't mind sitting through silent films then The Birth of a Nation is for you.

This film is definitely not for everyone. It's an important film and a well made film, but whether it's good or not almost seems irrelevant. A person living in our modern world is not going to watch a three hour silent film to entertained, but that doesn't mean The Birth of a Nation is not worth watching. This is a movie that you will either love for its historical importance or you simply won't watch.

Ten out of Ten.