The Birth of a Nation has pretty much established itself as perhaps the most frustrating movie ever made. I won't cover what has already been said--that this is a landmark film of astounding genius that is sadly wrecked by its racist pro-KKK ideology. I agree with the assessment and find the experience of the film very jarring.
I would rather focus on what might be useful to a potential viewer of this movie. The real question regarding this movie is whether, as a viewer, it is possible to separate out these two aspects and still have a useful experience from the film. I think the answer really varies from viewer to viewer. On the plus side, there is no question that there is some amazing genius at work here--the photography, cinematic techniques, acting, and scope were all revolutionary and very influential, the viewing of the movie is well-paced and in fact riveting. You will be fascinated for sure.
Can this fact be separated out when it becomes clear that the main protagonists of the movie are the KKK? That's the real question. In this sense, the movie becomes more instructive than entertaining. We learn a number of things--first, some important aspects of the history of technical filmmaking, which Birth of a Nation pioneered. Second, that movies always project a world-view, which can be significantly different from yours as a viewer, althuogh I think it is reasonable to point out that many people still sadly hold on to the world-view of this movie. Third, that movies will try to persuade you toward that world-view; in that sense, Birth of a Nation is a dangerous movie and had some truly bad consequences (it helped the revival of the KKK). Fourth, that the lens to the repugnant world view can actually be beneficial, a gateway to perceiving and understanding the past.
Thus, I cannot really tell you whether you personally will enjoy this movie. If you are a white supremacist, no problem. If not, you will have to compartmentalize for sure.
I would rather focus on what might be useful to a potential viewer of this movie. The real question regarding this movie is whether, as a viewer, it is possible to separate out these two aspects and still have a useful experience from the film. I think the answer really varies from viewer to viewer. On the plus side, there is no question that there is some amazing genius at work here--the photography, cinematic techniques, acting, and scope were all revolutionary and very influential, the viewing of the movie is well-paced and in fact riveting. You will be fascinated for sure.
Can this fact be separated out when it becomes clear that the main protagonists of the movie are the KKK? That's the real question. In this sense, the movie becomes more instructive than entertaining. We learn a number of things--first, some important aspects of the history of technical filmmaking, which Birth of a Nation pioneered. Second, that movies always project a world-view, which can be significantly different from yours as a viewer, althuogh I think it is reasonable to point out that many people still sadly hold on to the world-view of this movie. Third, that movies will try to persuade you toward that world-view; in that sense, Birth of a Nation is a dangerous movie and had some truly bad consequences (it helped the revival of the KKK). Fourth, that the lens to the repugnant world view can actually be beneficial, a gateway to perceiving and understanding the past.
Thus, I cannot really tell you whether you personally will enjoy this movie. If you are a white supremacist, no problem. If not, you will have to compartmentalize for sure.