- Feb 1, 2008
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If you havent seen this 1915 historical film, its available for instant view on Netflix. Made in 1915, it was shocking for its time and banned in several cities. Its pretty long @ 190 minutes (give or take). Silent and B/W it has an interesting history. I could see how GONE WITH THE WIND was probably thought of or created from watching this film.
I remember hearing about this film from time to time back in high school during studies of the civil war, Lincoln, and the 1960's civil rights struggles. While not in color, or 1080p, and a silent film at that, this draws you in and is a must see for film history.
Some interesting tirvia...
The battlefield sequences were shot on the property on which now stands Universal Studios.
Klansmen in full robes were used to publicize the opening in Los Angeles.
First film to be shown in the White House (to President Woodrow Wilson).
When it opened in New York City, ticket prices were $2.00 each, which was considered astronomical at the time.
Because of the racist overtones of the movie, it was banned in several major cities, such as Los Angeles and Chicago.
The original budget for the film was $40,000, but D.W. Griffith spent $110,000, the largest amount ever spent on a film up to that time.
The original title "The Clansman" was jettisoned for being too tame given the breadth and scope of the subject matter.
The film was 12 reels long.
Rated #7 of the 25 most controversial movies of all time. Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2006.
Milton Berle has claimed that as an infant he was in this film, though there are no official records to prove it.
Due to the chaotic nature of film distribution of the time, numerous fortunes were made on this film by men who had nothing to do with the actual production. Louis B. Mayer was one such beneficiary, who obtained state's right distribution rights for the film on the east coast and the profits allowed him to launch Louis B. Mayer Productions, which soon relocated to Los Angeles.
After viewing The Birth of a Nation (1915) in the White House, President Woodrow Wilson remarked that it was "like writing history with lightning."
The NAACP attempted to have The Birth of a Nation (1915) banned. After that effort failed, they then attempted to have some of the film's more extreme scenes censored.
Lillian Gish went to her grave denying that The Birth of a Nation (1915) was racist, despite ongoing protests that it was a glorification of the Ku Klux Klan.
Some of the black characters are played by white actors with make-up, particularly those characters who were required to come in contact with a white actress. The person playing the Cameron's maid is not only clearly white, but is also obviously male.
I remember hearing about this film from time to time back in high school during studies of the civil war, Lincoln, and the 1960's civil rights struggles. While not in color, or 1080p, and a silent film at that, this draws you in and is a must see for film history.
Some interesting tirvia...
The battlefield sequences were shot on the property on which now stands Universal Studios.
Klansmen in full robes were used to publicize the opening in Los Angeles.
First film to be shown in the White House (to President Woodrow Wilson).
When it opened in New York City, ticket prices were $2.00 each, which was considered astronomical at the time.
Because of the racist overtones of the movie, it was banned in several major cities, such as Los Angeles and Chicago.
The original budget for the film was $40,000, but D.W. Griffith spent $110,000, the largest amount ever spent on a film up to that time.
The original title "The Clansman" was jettisoned for being too tame given the breadth and scope of the subject matter.
The film was 12 reels long.
Rated #7 of the 25 most controversial movies of all time. Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2006.
Milton Berle has claimed that as an infant he was in this film, though there are no official records to prove it.
Due to the chaotic nature of film distribution of the time, numerous fortunes were made on this film by men who had nothing to do with the actual production. Louis B. Mayer was one such beneficiary, who obtained state's right distribution rights for the film on the east coast and the profits allowed him to launch Louis B. Mayer Productions, which soon relocated to Los Angeles.
After viewing The Birth of a Nation (1915) in the White House, President Woodrow Wilson remarked that it was "like writing history with lightning."
The NAACP attempted to have The Birth of a Nation (1915) banned. After that effort failed, they then attempted to have some of the film's more extreme scenes censored.
Lillian Gish went to her grave denying that The Birth of a Nation (1915) was racist, despite ongoing protests that it was a glorification of the Ku Klux Klan.
Some of the black characters are played by white actors with make-up, particularly those characters who were required to come in contact with a white actress. The person playing the Cameron's maid is not only clearly white, but is also obviously male.
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