statesofunrest It was good during the civil war part. I liked the big battle scenes and the story during that part was interesting enough and everything, but then the second half started and I thought at first maybe the director was going for something that was actually pro-rights for African Americans but then I noticed all the black face, and then the story takes a much darker tone that really wasn't necessary, accurate, and came from a place of ignorance. I know it was a different time, but as the highest selling silent movie of all time, I guess I was expecting something, you know...less racist. Anyway, I guess that shows you that controversy sells tickets, if nothing else.

Steven Smith Jr. Is this film politically incorrect? Absolutely. Was it influential? Yes. Is it historically inaccurate? For the most part, yes. Film is considered art and art has always been considered controversial. This was the first film to gain significant controversy and it wouldn't be the last. The film saying that all blacks are murderers and rapists is no different than Donald Trump saying all illegal immigrants are murderers and rapists. This film came out in 1915, Donald Trump made that controversial statement in 2016, 101 years later. Things clearly haven't changed. You need to be aware that this film is racist or else it might be a bad influence on you. Yes, the movie does portray the KKK as heroic, it does make it seem all blacks are vicious rapists, but I don't believe in banning this movie because it would be the same as trying to pretend this kind of racism and racial prejudice never existed. It should be shown so people can learn from the past and never make those same mistakes again. As for the black face makeup, that was sadly a product of its time, most black characters in movies back then were portrayed by white actors wearing black face paint, it was racist back then and it's racist now. Even though it was politically incorrect, there was no film like this at the time in terms of production and editing. It was the first time people began to take a motion picture seriously. The movie was seen as a book in moving pictures full of drama, excitement, romance and heartbreak. It's just unfortunate one of the most influential movies in history also happens to be the most controversial. If you are aware that this film is nothing but anti-black propaganda, then this movie probably won't turn you into a racist. Almost every open minded person knows that the KKK is a horrible organization that should have never existed. But you should appreciate this movie more for its art and production rather than its message. There's been plenty of other stories with bad messages. Grand Theft Auto V is a video game about trying to become a successful criminal and that game has sold extremely well. This movie should only be seen by those mature and open minded enough to know how racist it is. It shouldn't be seen by a young mind who doesn't know right from wrong.

Michael Ledo The Alpha Film edition was restored, but has no special features.The film claims the US became a disunion when black people were brought over here....ummm whose fault was that? The production follows the lives of the southern Cameron family living in Piedmont, South Carolina and the Stoneman family of Pennsylvania. Two of the men met while at a boarding school, afterwards becoming pen pals and eventually falling in love with each other's sister. When war breaks out they find themselves in battle against each other at Gettysburg. Later the Stonemans go south after the war and must join with the Klan to regain their "Aryan Birthright" against carpetbaggers, mulattoes, and Yankee blacks who dare to want equality and interracial marriage.Many of the stages were historical recreations and D.W. Griffith made sure you knew that with a sign. There was actually very little in dialogue. It would show you people talking, but you never knew what they said, rather the sign would explain the scene. The second half of the film was like watching my friend Sean Hannity, race baiting and outright lies. Only the Klan could have saved Piedmont from the incursion of the black man. Southern blacks fought with the Klan which contradicted their aims in the legislature where black law makers have their shoes off and feet on the desk, drinking from bottles. They passed laws to disenfranchise white people, make white people salute them, and legalized interracial marriage...about as factual as a Trump tweet.On the plus side Lillian Gish and Miriam Cooper were screen gems.The film is iconic including quotes from then President Wilson. Historically it re-energized the Klan membership because "truthiness" matters more than truth to some people.

Daniel Hood To understand and speak about this film, one must first understand the context in which the movie was released. It was early 1915, the mindset of the people was very different to what it is today, the state of the film industry was also completely different. This is important to remember when reading the following review.The Birth of a Nation is undoubtedly one of the most impactful films ever released. Anybody who has done even the slightest bit of research into this film will understand that. However, it is also one of if not the most controversial films ever made. The film cut deep into the hearts of the African Americans particularly, and, after watching this, it's easy to understand why. The racism present in the movie is excruciatingly obvious and in your face. What makes matters worse is that it is also evident that the film-makers weren't trying to make it so, in order to arouse feelings of anger and frustration within us, oh no. Instead, the racism is filmed in a way that proves that it was the norm of that time to think this way about African people. This -frustratingly fundamental- part of the film is what has been the cause for more than a century of controversy. I will say that as a young guy in his twenties - who has grown up in a world that is all about equality of rights of all human beings, no matter what may separate them from ourselves - it was very difficult to sit through the second half of the movie. What is shown is both infuriating and disturbing. However, that's not to take away from the truly spectacular first-half.The first-half of the film really is something to behold. From the brilliant depiction of the events surrounding the Civil War, and that of the war itself, as well as the brilliantly acted romance story that is thrown in between, this movie is thoroughly engaging. The first half of the movie(90 minutes on the 3 hour version that I watched) is expertly crafted and pulled off with a style that was not the norm in the film industry at the time. I can't begin to explain the beauty of Liilan Giths performance in this movie, for my first Gith film, she completely and utterly blew me away. Henry B Walthall is also very impressive as the "hero" of the film. The cinematic techniques used by all-star director D.W. Griffith were groundbreaking at the time. The ambition and scope of the movie even more so. This was the first time a director had attempted to tell such a big and significant story with so much style and class.My enjoyment of the first half of this movie was more than enough to convince me and win me over to the quality of classic cinema. The racist and sometimes pointless second half did take away from the experience though. If you have an interest in film history and would like to see something that is a deep foundation of the birth of Hollywood, I would most definitely recommend this brilliant, albeit dated cinematic experience.