History Film / TheBirthOfANation1915

* BrokenAesop: The film's final scene carries a message of peace and universal brotherhood...but this was ''after'' scenes of immense violence and persecution against the black characters. Perhaps the message is "white people deserve peace and liberty while black people should get eternal subjugation."

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million.[[note]]In 1915, movie tickets averaged between 10 and 25 cents, however, tickets for ''The Birth of a Nation'' were priced at a premium and could [[https://www.filmsranked.com/how-many-tickets-did-the-birth-of-a-nation-sell-really/ cost up to]] $2, meaning it probably sold fewer tickets than other silent blockbusters. While most sources agree it was the highest-grossing film of its era, by some estimations it sold less than half as many tickets as ''Film/{{Mickey}}'', which was regarded as the most-attended silent film.[[/note]] However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million.[[note]]In 1915, movie tickets averaged between 10 and 25 cents, however, tickets for ''The Birth of a Nation'' were priced at a premium and could [[https://www.filmsranked.com/how-many-tickets-did-the-birth-of-a-nation-sell-really/ cost up to]] $2, meaning it probably sold fewer tickets than other silent blockbusters. By some estimations, it sold less than half as many tickets as ''Film/Mickey'', which was regarded as the most-attended silent film.[[/note]] However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million.[[note]]In 1915, movie tickets averaged between 10 and 25 cents, however, tickets for ''The Birth of a Nation'' were priced at a premium and could [[https://www.filmsranked.com/how-many-tickets-did-the-birth-of-a-nation-sell-really/ cost up to]] $2, meaning it probably sold fewer tickets than other silent blockbusters. Some some estimations, it sold less than half as many tickets as ''Film/Mickey'', which regarded as the most-attended silent film.[[/note]] However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million.[[note]]In 1915, movie tickets averaged between 10 and 25 cents, however, tickets for ''Birth of a Nation'' were priced at a premium and could [[https://www.filmsranked.com/how-many-tickets-did-the-birth-of-a-nation-sell-really/ cost up to]] $2, meaning it probably sold fewer tickets than other early silent blockbusters.[[/note]] However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million.[[note]]In 1915, movie tickets on average cost between 10 and 25 cents, however, tickets for ''Birth of a Nation'' were price at a premium and could [[https://www.filmsranked.com/how-many-tickets-did-the-birth-of-a-nation-sell-really/ cost up to]] $2, meaning it probably sold fewer tickets than other early silent blockbusters.[[/note]] However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million.[[note]]In 1915, movie tickets on average costed between 10 and 25 cents, however, tickets for ''Birth of a Nation'' were price at a premium and could [[https://www.filmsranked.com/how-many-tickets-did-the-birth-of-a-nation-sell-really/ cost up to]] $2, meaning it probably sold fewer tickets than other early silent blockbusters.[[/note]] However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million.[[note]]In 1915, movie tickets on average costed between 10 and 25 cents, however, tickets for ''Birth of a Nation'' were price at a premium and could [https://www.filmsranked.com/how-many-tickets-did-the-birth-of-a-nation-sell-really/#:~:text=By%20June%201917%2C%20the%20number,end%20of%20the%20silent%20era. cost up to] $2, meaning it probably sold fewer tickets than other early silent blockbusters.[[/note]] However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million.[[note]]In 1915, movie tickets on average costed between 10 and 25 cents, however, tickets for ''Birth of a Nation'' were price at a premium and could [[https://www.filmsranked.com/how-many-tickets-did-the-birth-of-a-nation-sell-really/#:~:text=By%20June%201917%2C%20the%20number,end%20of%20the%20silent%20era. cost up to]] $2, meaning it probably sold fewer tickets than other early silent blockbusters.[[/note]] However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million when movie tickets cost a dime. However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

''The Birth of a Nation'' is a 1915 silent film directed by Creator/DWGriffith, starring famous silent film actress Creator/LillianGish, and one of Hollywood's first great "epic" films. Based on the 1905 novel ''The Clansman'' by Thomas Dixon, the premise of the film is a two-part chronicle of American history, with considerable neo-Confederate liberties.

The first part depicts the nation before, during, and after UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar, from the perspective of two juxtaposed families-- the Northern Stonemans, who are abolitionists and federalists, and the Southern Camerons, who are secessionists. When war breaks out, the houses must send their sons off to their respective opposing armies. The Camerons suffer many hardships in the war torn and depleted South, and must deal with hunger, ransackers, looters, and rapists.

Eventually, the Union army crushes the Confederacy, ending the war. President Abraham Lincoln promises to rebuild the South, in spite of protests from vengeful Northern politicians who would execute its leaders and treat the land as conquered territory. But Abraham Lincoln is assassinated at Ford's Theater, allowing the Radical Republicans, led by Austin Stoneman, to gain strength and support for inflicting punitive measures on the South for their rebellion.

The second part depicts the Reconstruction era. With the war over and slavery abolished, new issues arrive that America must resolve. The South must be rebuilt and [[YouWillBeAssimilated re-integrated]] as part of the nation, without its dependency on slavery. The freed slaves must find their place in the new society, and their rights and legal status must be determined. Violent controversy erupts in the South over how to tackle these issues. Stoneman and the Radical Republicans go to South Carolina to try to influence the votes of Southern blacks. The Ku Klux Klan is formed in response, who hunt down and lynch a murderous former slave, rescue the Cameron family from an attack by a black militia, and effectively disenfranchise the black voters. The people depicted throughout the film as the "true enemy," though, are mulattoes-- those of mixed white and black ancestry, who will stop at nothing to bring the white man down.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined, and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million when movie tickets cost a dime. However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

This was the first feature-length film to be screened at the White House. The President at the time was UsefulNotes/WoodrowWilson, who used to teach at Princeton University, and Thomas Dixon was one of his former students. It is widely told that, after seeing the picture, Wilson said, "It is like writing history with lightning. And my only regret is that it is all so terribly true." The truth is that he probably never said anything like that; the quote appears to have been fabricated by Dixon.

The film is in the public domain [[note]]notorious film preservationist Raymond Rohauer tried to claim copyright on it through purchasing the copyrights of the film's producer Epoch Producing Corporation, who thought they had the rights to the movie [they didn't; D. W. Griffith did] and renewed its copyright in 1942, and sued fellow film preservationist Paul Killiam for reissuing the film in 1964, touching off a legal battle which ended in 1975 with the ruling that the 1942 copyright renewal was invalid and the film thus in the public domain, a ruling the Supreme Court upheld in 1976[[/note]] and can be viewed in its entirety on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGQaAddwjxg YouTube]] or even [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_a_Nation its article]] on [[Website/{{Wikipedia}} The Other Wiki]]. Many early cinema pioneers worked on or appeared in the film: Creator/JohnFord is a Klansman, Creator/ErichVonStroheim was one of Griffith's assistants, and Creator/RaoulWalsh plays [[UsefulNotes/AbrahamLincoln John Wilkes Booth]].

Because of its historical prominence and the fact that it was, despite its horrible and false premise, an incredibly well-made film, ''Birth'' has long been prominent in film schools as educational material. Needless to say, it has become ever more divisive as people have become more willing to challenge both the Lost Cause lies it propounds and its inclusion in nearly every single film school's catalog of must-watch movies. There are, after all, many other movies that showcase historical firsts, innovation, and great film technique without also glorifying white supremacist violence.

In 2016, over a century after the original film's release, a film with the same name was released. Unlike the pro-Klan overtones of the 1915 film, the 2016 one was [[SpiritualAntithesis the exact opposite]], concerning a slave rebellion; info on that film can be found [[Film/TheBirthOfANation2016 here]].

Compare ''Film/TriumphOfTheWill'', a similarly influential white nationalist propaganda piece made 20 years later in UsefulNotes/NaziGermany.

Because of its historical prominence and the fact that it was, despite its horrible and false premise, an incredibly well made film, ''Birth'' has long been prominent in film schools as educational material. Needless to say, it has become ever more divisive as people have become more willing to challenge both the Lost Cause lies it propounds and its inclusion in nearly every single film school's catalog of must watch movies. There are, after all, many other movies that showcase historical firsts, innovation, and great film technique without also glorifying white supremacist violence. As a result, it's becoming less prominent and soon it may join the ranks of movies not even film nerds know about.

* HasTwoMommies: It doesn't have much significance to the larger narrative but the "two Union veterans", whose cabin Phil Stoneman and the Camerons hide in, have a little girl with them.

* SameContentDifferentRating: While considered a film for general audiences across the world at the time, some ratings boards that have taken a at The Birth of a Nation in the modern era strongly disagree. The BBFC, for example, originally rated it U in 1916 (and came to the same conclusion as late as 1952), but upon reevaluation in 1994, up-rated it all the way to 15, citing its racist themes and language as the key reason.

The film is in the public domain [[note]]notorious film preservationist Raymond Rohauer tried to claim copyright on it through purchasing the copyrights of the film's producer Epoch Producing Corporation, who thought they had the rights to the movie [they didn't; D. W. Griffith did] and renewed its copyright in 1942, and sued fellow film preservationist Paul Killiam for reissuing the film in 1964, touching off a legal battle which ended in 1975 with the ruling that the 1942 copyright renewal was invalid and the film thus in the public domain, a ruling the Supreme Court upheld in 1976[[/note]] and can be viewed in its entirety on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGQaAddwjxg YouTube]] or even [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_a_Nation its article]] on [[Wiki/{{Wikipedia}} The Other Wiki]]. Many early cinema pioneers worked on or appeared in the film: Creator/JohnFord is a Klansman, Creator/ErichVonStroheim was one of Griffith's assistants, and Creator/RaoulWalsh plays [[UsefulNotes/AbrahamLincoln John Wilkes Booth]].

* ContinuityEditing: D.W. Griffith practically ''defined'' continuity editing with movies like this.

In 2016, over a century after the original film's release, a film with the same name was released. Unlike the pro-Klan overtones of the 1915 film, the 2016 one was [[SpiritualAntithesis the exact opposite]], giving HistoricalHeroUpgrade to radically violent antislavery activists; info on that film can be found [[Film/TheBirthOfANation2016 here]].

In 2016, over a century after the original film's release, a film with the same name was released. Unlike the pro-Klan overtones of the 1915 film, the 2016 one was [[SpiritualAntithesis the exact opposite]], being openly ''against'' racism and slavery; info on that film can be found [[Film/TheBirthOfANation2016 here]].

** Animals pop up often throughout The Birth of a Nation, and they carry a different sort of symbolic resonance each time. For example: When we first meet the Cameron family, There's a gaggle of adorable puppies and kittens playing at their feet. This is supposed to relate them (and the pre-war South as a whole) with innocence, an innocence that Griffith thinks is sullied after the Civil War. Later, the villainous Silas Young is shown beating a dog and giving it to other men for even more nefarious deeds. This is not a particularly subtle way of revealing the dude's evil nature. Soon, after Lynch beats up the dog, Ben and Elsie are seen kissing a dove together. It's a way of relating their love to peace between the North and South, as doves typically symbolize peace.

* BrokenAesop: The film's final scene carries a message of peace and universal brotherhood...but this was ''after'' scenes of immense violence and persecution against the black characters.

Being one of the first feature films ever, ''The Birth of a Nation'' introduced, refined, and popularized too many tropes to count, and is considered one of the most groundbreaking films ever, proving that cinema was a valid form of media rather than a passing fad, in fact. It was a massive hit, grossing somewhere between $50–100 million when movie tickets cost a dime. However, it was also extremely controversial even when released, as its view of Reconstruction is one that promotes white supremacy, loathsomely demonizes black Americans (especially biracial black-white people), and glorifies the KKK. In fact, the KKK had a ''huge'' revival in the years after this was released (membership numbered around six million at its peak around 1925), and many people credit ''Birth'' as one of the reasons why.

This was the first feature-length film to be screened at the White House. The President was UsefulNotes/WoodrowWilson, who used to teach at Princeton University and Thomas Dixon was one of his former students. It is widely told that, after seeing the picture, Wilson said "It is like writing history with lightning. And my only regret is that it is all so terribly true." The truth is that he probably never said anything like that; the quote appears to have been fabricated by Dixon.

It is in the public domain [[note]](notorious film preservationist Raymond Rohauer tried to claim copyright on it through purchasing the copyrights of the film's producer Epoch Producing Corporation, who thought they had the rights to the movie [they didn't; D. W. Griffith did] and renewed its copyright in 1942, and sued fellow film preservationist Paul Killiam for reissuing the film in 1964, touching off a legal battle which ended in 1975 with the ruling that the 1942 copyright renewal was invalid and the film thus in the public domain, a ruling the Supreme Court upheld in 1976)[[/note]] and can be viewed in its entirety on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGQaAddwjxg YouTube]] or even [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_a_Nation its article]] on [[Wiki/{{Wikipedia}} The Other Wiki]]. Many early cinema pioneers worked on or appeared in the film: Creator/JohnFord is a Klansman, Creator/ErichVonStroheim was one of Griffith's assistants, and Creator/RaoulWalsh plays [[UsefulNotes/AbrahamLincoln John Wilkes Booth]].

''The Birth of a Nation'' is a 1915 silent film directed by Creator/DWGriffith, starring famous silent film actress Creator/LillianGish, and one of Hollywood's first great "epic" films.

Based on the 1905 novel ''The Clansman'' by Thomas Dixon, the premise of ''The Birth of a Nation'' is a two-part chronicle of American history, with considerable neo-Confederate liberties. The first part depicts the nation before, during, and after UsefulNotes/TheAmericanCivilWar, from the perspective of two juxtaposed families-- the Northern Stonemans, who are abolitionists and federalists, and the Southern Camerons, who are secessionists. When war breaks out, the houses must send their sons off to their respective opposing armies. The Camerons suffer many hardships in the war torn and depleted South, and must deal with hunger, ransackers, looters, and rapists. Eventually, the Union army crushes the Confederacy, ending the war. President Abraham Lincoln promises to rebuild the South, in spite of protests from vengeful Northern politicians who would execute its leaders and treat the land as conquered territory. But Abraham Lincoln is assassinated at Ford's Theater, allowing the Radical Republicans, led by Austin Stoneman, to gain strength and support for inflicting punitive measures on the South for their rebellion.

* AllIsWellThatEndsWell: For ''certain definitions'' of "ends well." White power is restored in the South, a terrorized black populace is returned to what the KKK thought was their rightful place, and the Cameron siblings marry the Stoneman siblings.