D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915), was one of the first large scale films (both in production costs and a 3 hour running time) and one of the first to validate Cinema as an art form. It is undeniably one of the most important films ever made, technically speaking. However, the film has been cloaked in controversy and protest ever since it's first showing on February 8, 1915. The film was still a huge success despite the boycotts and protests. D.W. Griffith's reasoning behind it was never quite clear, but he felt very hurt by the negative critiques. In response, his next film was titled Intolerance (1916). Perceived content aside, The Birth of a Nation is still wonderful to watch, if taken in the context of the time and the Cinematic technique and mastery from which it was made.
The film follows two juxtaposed families. The Northern Stoneman family and the Southern Cameron family. The two families are friends and even have romantic ties between them with one of the elder Cameron boys and Elsie Stoneman (Lillian Gish)...
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
However, tensions are growing between the two halves of the Nation and, as a result, the two families must pick opposite sides in the conflict. The Civil War Begins...
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
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| The Birth of a Nation. 1915 |
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| D.W. Griffith |
The Birth of a Nation (1915)- full feature film
