The Birth of a Nation – Budget of $10 million – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Note: This will only discuss the film. Not the controversy of its director.
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At a young age, Nat Turner was told that the marks on his chest stood for wisdom, courage, and vision. He would be a great prophet and should be followed. Hearing this prophecy, Nat’s parent did everything to protect him. But soon, the master’s wife, Elizabeth, learns that Nat can read. Instead of punishing him (as was the custom), she allowed him to live in the big house to teach him. However, she would only let him read one book … the Bible. Before the master died, he let it be know that Nat should go back into the fields; and his wife obliged after her husband’s death. Years later, Nat is working in the fields and preaching the gospel. When Rev. Walthall hears about a slave preacher, he convinces Sam (Nat’s new master and the old master’s son) to sell his services. Nat would go from plantation to plantation and teach the gospel to slaves. They hoped that hearing the word of God from their own kind would keep the slaves calm and in their place. During his travels, Nat sees how horribly slaves are treated and it weighs heavy on him. But when he is whipped, his wife is gang raped, and Sam allows a female slave to be pimped, Nat is broken and decides to fight back. What is to come is a bloody and brutal battle with a likely outcome.

With any movie featuring slavery, some things you see and hear are hard to swallow. But the honesty of the harsh punishments mixed with faith and love are necessary to drive this story. The movie calls into question some version in the Bible that deal with slave/master relationships and callings from God. It’s difficult to watch his movie and not see parallel’s in today’s issues. The set design and wardrobe are amazing and work perfectly together to propel the story line. There are often questionable imagery, like bleeding corn, that confuses or seems misplaced. This is a great movie at full price but be prepared to be disturbed.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

I didn’t do nothing. That girl was brought into the world as beautiful as can be – Nancy Turner

I am but a servant – Rev. Walthall

Leave it to the Lord – Cherry Turner

He’s still here – Nate Turner

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