Many consider Birth of a Nation (1915) to be the first Hollywood blockbuster. A silent film starring Lillian Gish, it was the longest and most-profitable film then produced and the most artistically advanced film of its day. An epic about the American Civil War (1861–65) and the Reconstruction era that followed, Birth of a Nation has long been hailed for its technical and dramatic innovations. However, the movie has also been condemned for the racism inherent in the script and its positive portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan, which experienced a major revival after the film’s release.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style