Birth of a Nation (1915)

[bruce_pullen]

What did you think? Loved, hated, tolerated, always remember?

[Romulus]

How come you make all these threads but never bother to give an opinion yourself?

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by Romulus

How come you make all these threads but never bother to give an opinion yourself?

Didn't think anyone wanted it.

Plus, once I speak. It usally causes lots of digressions.

You want more of that?

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

Didn't think anyone wanted it.

Plus, once I speak. It usally causes lots of digressions.

You want more of that?

I'm all for expression of anyone's opinion. It could be really far out there but if people have something to fight about, well that's there problem for not understanding its one man's opinion.

To the topic at hand, I have actually never seen this movie. Worth checking out?

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by Romulus

I'm all for expression of anyone's opinion. It could be really far out there but if people have something to fight about, well that's there problem for not understanding its one man's opinion.

To the topic at hand, I have actually never seen this movie. Worth checking out?

It is the first feature length motion picture. (There's also Judith of Bethulia, but that's another story) Three hours long. Birth is the first full serving of film grammar. It's influence can be felt in Glory (1989), Gone with the Wind (1939), Gettysburg (1993), and every other film. How one watches a picture, was setup by this.

It is most known: for it's depiction of the Reconstruction. Where the Klu Klux Klan ride (with the sun behind them) to save the day from the evil Blacks from the North.

It's racism has been subject of sociology and film classes. But besides that, it was instrumental (through its popularity and influence) in making motion pictures both art and business.

It had made $18 million by the start of talkies.

In one fell swoop. Receipts for this (at Eastern theater chains), gave Louis B. Mayer the funds to go into the picture business.

Birth of a Nation (1915) is probably: with the exception of Gone with the Wind, Star Wars (1977), or Psycho (1960). One of the most important films, in shaping the destiny of motion pictures, and how we see them.

[ckent22]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

What did you think? Loved, hated, tolerated, always remember?

One of the greatest films of all time. Why do you keep asking these questions? Is there a point you are trying to get across?

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by ckent22

One of the greatest films of all time. Why do you keep asking these questions? Is there a point you are trying to get across?

Provoke thought.

I find most people don't think about movies. They merely consume.

Nothing wrong with that. I guess I'm purging my life-long desire: to ask these questions.

Sorry for that. I meant nothing more than that.

[ckent22]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

Provoke thought.

I find most people don't think about movies. They merely consume.

Nothing wrong with that. I guess I'm purging my life-long desire: to ask these questions.

Sorry for that. I meant nothing more than that.

No, I just wondered. You've had a lot of questions today. Good to get people to think, but raising so many questions today just made me wonder why.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

Provoke thought.

I find most people don't think about movies. They merely consume.

Nothing wrong with that. I guess I'm purging my life-long desire: to ask these questions.

Sorry for that. I meant nothing more than that.

Please dont include me in that group. Thinking about a movie after I watch it IS the reason I watch it.

[Tadji Malik]

I didn't like it. It was long and bland. It's a preachy picture and the fact that it was preaching white supremacy dosn't help at all.

It's important, needs preserving and should be recommended for film classes, though not mandatory.

The only thing this picture has going for it is it's place in history as pre-1920 epics are hard to find. Other than that, it's no good.

'Gone with the Wind' is a better American Civil War picture, 'Lawerence of Arabia' is a better epic, anything by Spike Lee is more racist, and Buster Keaton films are better silents.

As a matter of fact, 'The General' is a much better full length, American Civil War, pro-south, silent film.

I have no need of seeing 'The Birth of a Nation' again.

[rebfandan]

Significant only in its development of state-of-the-art (at that time) camera techniques. Woodrow Wilson actually praised its thematic content!

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by rebfandan

Significant only in its development of state-of-the-art (at that time) camera techniques. Woodrow Wilson actually praised its thematic content!

Wilson supposedly said, "it is like writing history with lightning."

Some wander if he ever said it. It remains a mystery,

Read more. Birth of a Nation (1915). Click here for more. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_a_Nation

[Romulus]

Thanks bruce, I added it to my Netflix queue.

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Thanks bruce, I added it to my Netflix queue.

Don't forget Intolerance (1916). That was D.W. Griffith's feature-length apology for Nation. It is also considered Griffith second crown-jewel. And another mammoth achievement that changed film for forever. Add that on you queue as well.

And by the way, your welcome.

Also add:

Nosferatu (1922)

Battleship Potemkin (1925)

The Last Laugh (1924)

The Gold Rush (1925)

The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

Sunrise (1927)

The General (1927)

The Cat and the Canary (1927)

Metropolis (1927)

The Crowd (1928)


I hope that helps.