Two disturbing scenes typify the racist narrative of the film. The first scene is the one where Ben Cameron, the litt

For instance, the racist content of the film presumed a white audience. When, two white families stand at the center of the story, it is clear that the street belongs to them. After the war, black soldiers take command of the street and rudely shoulder the Cameron. However, by the end of the movie, when the forces of the Ku Klux Klan ride into town on horseback there is not a black face to be seen (Film History, 2002). Furthermore, the audience is rarely introduced to the intimate everyday life of black, except in their role as servants or slaves dominated by the Whites. Therefore, during the entire movie we look through the white men’s eyes.

Griffith was experimenting with ‘intercutting’. A technique familiar to us, but novel at the time. The ‘intercutting’ opens control of time and space. When watching the scene, we make the assumption that two or more actions happens at the same time. Griffith uses also the ‘intercutting’ of ‘parallel scenes’ (which occur at the same time, but in different location). In the action sequence, it gives the impression of tensely reaching a climax in the film. An example occurs in the sequence where the Klan races to save the southern family trapped in the cabin and to free Elsie Stoneman from Lynch. Shots alternate between the Klan taking over Piedmont, fighting the blacks around the cabin and Elsie’s struggle. The more the tension builds up, the more the cut get faster. Eventually, both scenes are put together. The Klan set free the southern family, Elsie and takes over Piedmont’s street. Griffith uses the ‘last minutes rescue’ (Film History). This example of ‘intercutting’ shows his development of rhythmic cutting achievement.

But in despite of this great technical achievement, ‘The Birth of a Nation’ remains a racist fiction which incited racial hatred. When the film was first released, people’s reaction were di

Some topics in this essay:
African American, Birth Nation’, Film History, Iris Mask, National Association, DW Griffith, Lynch Shots, Ben Cameron, Recontruction Franklin, Nation’ Griffith, birth nation’, ‘the birth, ‘the birth nation’, film history, ben cameron, alternative reading film, acting griffith, white american, form content, ku klux, camera position, ku klux klan, separating form content, film history 2002, alternative reading,