"The Birth of a nation" is one of the most controversial movies ever made. Its reception, both popular and critical, proved the film to be more than entertainment. Today, watching this representation of African American is nauseous. But "The Birth of a nation" is respected for being a key film of all time in American history because it contains cinematic refinements which had a recognized impact on film history and the development of film art. Now, it is possible to separate the content from the form. New readings are likely to acknowledge the racism and allow the student a degree of objectivity in the study of the film form. Thus, it is not necessary to condone the main racial messages of the film in order to study its cinematic achievements in its historical context. Through two specific scenes, we look at how the narrative portrays a racist ideology. Then, in two other scenes we study three technical aspects which make "The Birth of a Nation" an exemplary piece of film making. Finally, we look at the alternative reading, how the film can be read against the grain. .
Two disturbing scenes typify the racist narrative of the film. The first scene is the one where Ben Cameron, the little Colonel watches white children in white sheets, scaring black kids. The title "The Inspiration" is shown to explain how Ben Cameron invented the Klan and its distinctive outfit.
The second scene, "historical incident" set in the South Carolina legislature in the early 1870s, depicts the elected black legislators behaving inappropriately and white women threatened as they leer up at them. .
In despite of its racist narrative, "The Birth of a Nation" is often looked as a technical virtuosity. Through two scenes, I look at an example of the editing (intercutting) and another of camera position and acting.
Griffith was experimenting with "intercutting". A technique familiar to us, but novel at the time. The "intercutting" opens control of time and space.