OT: The Birth of a Nation (1915)

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Author	Comment
Cadaverino		#21	[-]
(07/02/08 9:22 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	killer meteor wrote: Forgive me but exactly what nation is born in this film? The Confederate States of America.
Michael Elliott		#22	[-]
(07/07/08 1:58 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	I have to disagree that Griffith is everywhere. 1. TCM gets protest whenever they show any Griffith movie. 2. Theaters can't show BOAN. 3. 20-30 films out of 450 are available. 4. DGA taking away Griffith's name from their lifetime award. 5. If you like this film then you are either called a racist or must say sorry for liking it. The only thing saving this film from having all copies burned is the fact that it is public domain. If Disney or another studio owned this film then it would never get shown. I believe the book on Griffith was from the early 80s because it really needs an upgrade badly because of some of the stuff in it. It's a great book otherwise.
zogstar67		#23	[-]
(07/07/08 2:20 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Michael Elliott wrote: I have to disagree that Griffith is everywhere. "1. TCM gets protest whenever they show any Griffith movie." By whom? I'm sure TCM get letters from kooks over all sorts of movies. What evidence do you have that there is a stronger outcry when any Griffith film is shown? It certainly doesn't seem to stop them from showing them. "3. 20-30 films out of 450 are available." Do you really believe that this is because of BOAN? I don't know if there is a viable market for 450 silent films total in all the world. "5. If you like this film then you are either called a racist or must say sorry for liking it." I've already said I admire the film for it's technical achievement. But if someone says, "Yes, I love this film and don't see anything wrong with any part of it." I really would have issues with that. The film is straight up racist. That doesn't mean that it should be thrown on the bonfire. It's a part of history. The pyramids were built by slaves. That doesn't mean we should tear them down. On the other hand, pretending the deplorable parts of the film don't exist or aren't deplorable isn't a reasonable option. I'd love to go see BIRTH OF THE NATION on a big screen, but I won't pretend there is nothing wrong with the film. "Synthetic Flesh!" Chris Herzog zogstar67@yahoo.com Last Edited By: zogstar67 07/07/08 2:25 PM. Edited 1 times.
Michael Elliott		#24	[-]
(10/13/75 3:15 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Yes, I blame BOAN. Griffith name has become so tainted since those original Kino titles were released. Anytime you hear "critics" talk about the film they always mention lies that include blacks being killed at screenings, Griffith the racist, the Klan rebuilt when this film was out and so on. This film is so damaged that it'll never be talked about as a great movie without the endless debate of myths that keep going around and around. Hell, Spike Lee is the only person I've seen that had any sense about the movie AND who had actually seen it among all the protesters I've heard out there. And yes, I'd argue the racist tagline.
Carl Eyesnheart		#25	[-]
(07/07/08 7:16 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Well, I come at this from a slightly different stance. I'm an insane Lillian Gish fanatic, so I watch the movie to do nothing more than stare lovingly at dear Lillian. Seriously, she is the only film actress who just melts me. But anyways, I have always heard (and I believe Lillian even says it in her book) that the main reason for the world forgetting Griffith was his old time story telling. Griffith's movies and themes were outdated almost as soon as they hit the screen. Aside from the groundbreaking things he did, he just didn't age anywhere near as well as some of his other contemporaries. None of the old silent dramas really did. The comedies seem to be the main films from that era that have truly stood the test of time, and even many of those are a little clunky now, to non-Silent fans. Broken Blossoms is a ridiculously powerful film, so that one will survive for a long time. But don't forget that film even carries quite a bit of racism in it also, by todays standards. Way Down East will survive for the final chase scene alone. I've actually seen more written about how many mediocre films he made than I have read about his racism. My fanzine all about Rock N Roll: www.sonicruin.com
Wich2		#26	[-]
(07/07/08 9:08 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	"The pyramids were built by slaves." Chris, believe it or not, some modern scholarship thinks that wasn't generally the case. They were, in a sense, an Egyptian "WPA" - a State project to keep people busy during the off-crops season. (Of course, that wouldn't preclude overworking conquered or "lesser" tribes, ala the Hebrews.) "And yes, I'd argue the racist tagline." Michael, with all respect, I don't see how? As I mentioned early on in the thread, it is not a malicious racism, but a naive, patronizing one, and of its time. But it is de facto racism, nonetheless. "I'm an insane Lillian Gish fanatic" Carl, I'm with you on the admiration for the craft & beauty of fellow NW Ohioan Lillian! I'm honored to have a letter from her hanging on the wall. Also would agree that the dated style of Griffith's work was/is a big problem. ABRAHAM LINCON was a hit; but compared to other early talkies that really clicked - APPLAUSE, BULLDOG DRUMMOND, etc. - it's pretty rough sledding. Best, -Craig W. Last Edited By: Wich2 07/07/08 9:13 PM. Edited 1 times.
Carl Eyesnheart		#27	[-]
(07/07/08 9:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	OOooo, is it a letter to YOU actually!?! That is VERY cool!!! Lil was just stunning, even into her final years. My fanzine all about Rock N Roll: www.sonicruin.com
zogstar67		#28	[-]
(07/08/08 10:07 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	Wich2 wrote: "The pyramids were built by slaves." Chris, believe it or not, some modern scholarship thinks that wasn't generally the case. They were, in a sense, an Egyptian "WPA" - a State project to keep people busy during the off-crops season. (Of course, that wouldn't preclude overworking conquered or "lesser" tribes, ala the Hebrews.) " When the legend becomes fact, print the legend. "Synthetic Flesh!" Chris Herzog zogstar67@yahoo.com
Wich2		#29	[-]
(07/08/08 10:48 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	(Chris, I love Fiction, & I love History - with enough respect to want to keep them separate!) Carl- Yup. Here in NYC, Miss Lillian was kind of the Patron Saint of Silents; I had seen here at the NAPOLEON "re-opening," etc. So, when I saw that she missed a restoration showing of INTOLERANCE (with orchestra & chorus!) at Lincoln Center because of illness, I got her agent's address through AFTRA, and sent her a get well note, with words of my appreciation for her work. I basically said that she always seemed to me to be, with Chaney and Garbo, one of the rare Silent actors who didn't overplay. Didn't expect a response; just wanted to express my affection, actor-to-actor. She wrote a very sweet note back (actually, it was likely typed by an assistant, but it's hand-signed.) Thanked me "for such a dear note," for supporting "Mr. Griffith's masterpiece," and sending "every fond wish." What a great Lady. Best, -Craig W.
Carl Eyesnheart		#30	[-]
(07/08/08 12:47 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite	That's very cool! My fanzine all about Rock N Roll: www.sonicruin.com

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