[frogjerk]

Apparently, D. W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation and the Leni Reifenstahl film Triumph of the Will were wonderful cinematic "technical" achievements, but as they were sympathetic to the KKK and the Nazis respectively it's almost impossible to give either any praise without feeling "creepy."

Question: I remember watching these movies in film class and I don't remember anything being said about "Birth of a Nation" being sympathetic to the KKK...Do you have info regarding this?

[conserv13]

'Birth of a Nation' IS a cinematic milestone. It was the first epic. The camera work was revolutionary for its time.

[cvq3842]

Actually, nothing first-hand. I have not sat through it. But every review I have seen mentions it is a landmark film, and that it has racist overtones. I took it as a given, but as I have not seen it I will have to say it is second-hand info.

[RebelBanker]

"Birth of a Nation" could just as well have been called "Birth of the Klan." It is very racist and portrays Klansmen as the heros of the picture.

That being said, the cinematography was far ahead of its time and it was the best selling silent movie ever made.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Question: I remember watching these movies in film class and I don't remember anything being said about "Birth of a Nation" being sympathetic to the KKK...Do you have info regarding this?

The film glorifies the 19th century Klan. It is full of abhorrent racist stereotypes. It is a brilliant example of cinematic techniques, but some of Griffith's other film epics are easier to watch today (try Intolerance or Orphans of the Storm).