The Birth of a Nation

Films about the evils of slavery always give me a sense of humbleness and a disgust for a society that was severely bent back in those days. Every time I see one of these films, I almost feel a sense of guilt for being a white man, which is where the humbleness comes into play. Recently, we've seen certain films that address this topic: "12 Years a Slave" '13, "The Butler" '13, "Selma" '14 and others. So when "The Birth of a Nation" came my way, I simply had to visit my nearest multiplex to catch, what I've concluded, this gem.

This historical drama recounts a real-life slave revolt that occurred in 1831 South Hampton, Virginia, led by a black preacher and slave Nat Turner (Nate Parker). Turner is ordered by his master, Samuel (Armie Hammer) to tour a number of plantations, delivering sermons to the other slaves that will urge them against violence and especially any thoughts of rebellion. This idea was pressed upon Samuel by the area's Reverend Zalthall (Mark Boone Jr.) which, of course, supported the white plantation owners. However, Nat is so appalled and sickened by the horrors he sees during his travels that he is eventually moved to fight back against the evils of slavery. This depiction of Turner's life also included his courtship and subsequent marriage to Cherry (Aja Naomi King), a slave woman.

Others to round out the cast are Penelope Ann Miller as Elizabeth Turner, Samuel's sister, Jackie Earle Haley as Raymond Cobb, a slave owner, Colman Domingo as Hark, Esther Scott as Bridget, an older slave woman, Roger Guenveur Smith as Isaiah, Dwight Henry as Isaac Turner, a slave, Aunjanue Ellis as Nancy, Gabrielle Union as Esther, Tony Espinosa as Young Nat Turner, Jayson Warner Smith as Earl Fowler and Jason Stuart as Joseph Randall.

Considering this was his first feature film in the director's chair, Nate Parker (2 shorts) is undoubtedly a natural in this field. The intensity, pathos, fear, and the deprecation these slaves were experiencing was caught on screen in an incredible way that one would think they were living a history book, and this has everything to do with the directing. This actor that is now a director will receive a ton of work is the not-so-distant future. This was also written by Parker (shorts), based on a story by Parker and Jean McGianni Celestin. Again, this being this writer's first feature film to pen this screenplay, he is a natural. There is only a couple of very small areas of slowness, but certainly not enough to detract from this incredible story. This apparently is a remake of the 1915 version of the same name, however there isn't a direct connection between the two--they are definitely their own films. Let me explain: whereas the original was basically about two families (one from the South and the other from the North), and surrounded around the Civil War with each family on opposite sides, but retained friendships through the war, this new version was about the uprising by Nat Turner out of total frustration of how these slaves were horrifically treated. Another difference was that in the original, because of the South losing the war, out sprang the starting of the Ku Klux Klan and this was based on a novel which was based on a fictional story, whereas this new version was based on a true story of a real person (Turner) and, obviously a real situation. Parker's ability to write a meaty screenplay is amazing whether this is his first feature film or his fiftieth, and with that, could easily garner a number of Oscar nods come that time.

This is a film that will undoubtedly be studied in film schools due to the incredible realism entailed in this storyline. The fact that this film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival speaks volumes of its quality. This isn't a film that will entertain or give you that warm and fuzzy feeling as much as to inform, teach and put us in a humble situation where, when seeing this, let's us realize how fortunate we really are.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                   Rated: R                                   120mins.