Really, all I want this post to consist of is a giant flashing neon sign saying: DO NOT WATCH! DO NOT WATCH!
Birth of a Nation is a three hour long, silent, black and white film that was directed by D.W. Griffith. First feature film ever made, did a lot with tinted lens filters (probably not the right term, will fix that later), camera movement, parallel editing, cross cutting, a narrative…all those fun things about films today that wouldn’t exist without this guy (which pains me to say, actually). That being said, it’s clear the movie has artistic merits.
The story itself however…yikes.
It’s probably one of the most (no, scratch that, it IS the most) racist film I’ve ever seen. Horribly, historically inaccurate and full of racial stereotypes that were just–bad. And, in the end, the KKK is portrayed as the protagonists. The freakin’ Klan! What was even worse was there were parts of the film where you were watching this, feeling horrible for one of the female characters being put in a horrible situation and you’re rooting for the “good guys” to come and save her–and then you stop because you remember the “good guys” are the Klan. It was horribly sneaky of Griffith to do that. Then again, considering the time period, not so much I suppose. The Civil War may have ended only 70 years before, but there were definitely no equal rights. Another thing I absolutely love about this movie is the fact that Woodrow Wilson had viewings of it at the White House. Just a little historical tidbit for you guys.
I understand why we had to watch it (film history class), but that doesn’t mean I can’t complain bitterly 
