The Birth of a Nation
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
| Revision as of 21:47, 29 January 2008 Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) ← Previous diff |
Revision as of 18:29, 14 July 2021 Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) Next diff → |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{Template}} | {{Template}} | ||
| - | '''''The Birth of a Nation''''' (also known as '''''The Clansman''''') is one of the most influential and controversial films in the history of American cinema. Set during and after the [[American Civil War]] and directed by [[D.W. Griffith]], the film was released on [[February 8]], [[1915]]. It is important in [[film history]] for its innovative technical achievements and also for its controversial promotion of [[white supremacism]] and glorification of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]. ''The Birth of a Nation'' is based on [[Thomas Dixon, Jr.|Thomas Dixon's]] ''[[The Clansman]]'', a novel and play. | ||
| + | '''''The Birth of a Nation''''', originally called '''''The Clansman''''',<ref>{{cite news|title=Thomas Dixon Dies, Wrote ''Clansman''|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 4, 1946|page=23|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/04/04/archives/thomas-dixon-dies-wrote-clansman-book-was-basis-for-birth-of-a.html}}</ref> is a 1915 American [[Silent film|silent]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] directed by [[D. W. Griffith]] and starring [[Lillian Gish]]. The screenplay is adapted from [[Thomas Dixon Jr.]]'s 1905 novel and play ''[[The Clansman: A Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan|The Clansman]]''. Griffith co-wrote the screenplay with [[Frank E. Woods]] and produced the film with [[Harry Aitken]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The film was controversial even before its release and has remained so ever since; it has been called "the most controversial film ever made in the United States" and "the most reprehensibly racist film in Hollywood history". Lincoln is portrayed positively, a friend of the South, unusual for a narrative that promotes the [[Lost Cause of the Confederacy|Lost Cause]] ideology. The film has been denounced for its racist depiction of black Americans. The film portrays [[African Americans]] (many of whom are played by white actors in [[blackface]]) as [[Race and intelligence|stupid]] and [[Sexual assault|sexually aggressive]] toward white women. The [[Ku Klux Klan]] (KKK) is portrayed as a heroic force, necessary to preserve American values, protect the women, and maintain [[white supremacy]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In response to the film's depictions of black people and Civil War history, African Americans across the United States organized and participated in protests against ''The Birth of a Nation.'' In places such as in [[Boston]] where thousands of white people viewed the film, black leaders tried to have it banned on the basis that it inflamed racial tensions and could incite violence. The [[NAACP]] spearheaded an unsuccessful campaign to ban the film. Griffith's indignation at efforts to censor or ban the film motivated him to produce ''[[Intolerance (film)|Intolerance]]'' the following year. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In spite of its divisiveness, ''The Birth of a Nation'' was a huge commercial success and profoundly influenced both the film industry and American culture. The film has been acknowledged as an inspiration for [[Ku Klux Klan#Second Klan: 1915–1944|the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan]], which took place only a few months after its release. In 1992, the [[Library of Congress]] deemed the film "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected it for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]]. | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Revision as of 18:29, 14 July 2021
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
The Birth of a Nation, originally called The Clansman,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> is a 1915 American silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish. The screenplay is adapted from Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 novel and play The Clansman. Griffith co-wrote the screenplay with Frank E. Woods and produced the film with Harry Aitken.
The film was controversial even before its release and has remained so ever since; it has been called "the most controversial film ever made in the United States" and "the most reprehensibly racist film in Hollywood history". Lincoln is portrayed positively, a friend of the South, unusual for a narrative that promotes the Lost Cause ideology. The film has been denounced for its racist depiction of black Americans. The film portrays African Americans (many of whom are played by white actors in blackface) as stupid and sexually aggressive toward white women. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is portrayed as a heroic force, necessary to preserve American values, protect the women, and maintain white supremacy.
In response to the film's depictions of black people and Civil War history, African Americans across the United States organized and participated in protests against The Birth of a Nation. In places such as in Boston where thousands of white people viewed the film, black leaders tried to have it banned on the basis that it inflamed racial tensions and could incite violence. The NAACP spearheaded an unsuccessful campaign to ban the film. Griffith's indignation at efforts to censor or ban the film motivated him to produce Intolerance the following year.
In spite of its divisiveness, The Birth of a Nation was a huge commercial success and profoundly influenced both the film industry and American culture. The film has been acknowledged as an inspiration for the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan, which took place only a few months after its release. In 1992, the Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.
