From racism, a positive spin-off

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2004)

Racist, yes, But shocking for its day about 60 tears after the Civil War. Prejudice was rampant in the U.S. The film simply reinforced and exploited already existing stereotypes using powerful images and montage. The movie fomented riots in some cities where it was shown. But was a million dollar movie in terms of box office revenue. It traveled with its own orchestra and dual projectors ( to avoid reel changes). Ticket prices were $2 - unheard of in the days of the nickelodeon. As a result of the racism, the NAACP was formed in the U.S. to counter the stereotypes presented in the movie as well as to advance the cause of black people in the U.S. It still ranks among the top 100 films made in the U.S. - not because of its theme, but because of its images, montage and story-telling techniqu