The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-10-26
BIRTH Of 4 NATION !.
MEETS EXPECTATIONS.
Described AZ StupendOus Achievement
by Critic, Who Pays Tribute to
Genius Displayed.
GOOD ORDER THRoU HoUT
Colored Race Well Represented and
No Sign Of Disorder As Pictures
Told Story Of Reconstruction Era In
south

Heralded enthusiastieaily by the in
agents, bearing the extensive COM
mendation of press ard public where
ever 1t has been exhibited. and eagerly
awaited by an audience that filled the
house to the very doors the epoch
marking film depicting the epock-
making period Of great people.
The Birth OF Nation" was shown
at the Academy last night to the de-
light and wonderment OF everyone
present. Time was when the idea of
presenting a moving picture at prices
charged for the leading dramatic pro-
auctions would have been heartily
ridiculed. But times change radically.
and after Witnessing the remarkabl
production of last night. hardly soul
dared begrudge the price he or she
paid. Mr.. ID. w. Griffith. the David
Belaseo Of the movie" world. is the
responsible producer, the impressario,
the magician. who has originated,
promulgated and perfected the idea
OF presenting such drama az this
on such a scale. The play Is an ex-
tensive and highly detailed elabora
ton of The Clansman" based on his
torical facts the fiction element being
HhPPittd Wy hHc HoNfiS vi kllC INCN.
Thomas Dixon. Ii I- really an epic
iii form and construction. even though
the events OF which it treats are hard
ly remote enough to justify that term.
Beginning with the events leading up
to the Civil War the action passes
rapidly through that memorable strug-
gle depicting with striking, marvellous
and oftimes horrible realism the dra-
matte events on the field OF battle and
the eoneomitant scenes of sadness and
desolation Transporting in the homes
bereft of loved ones. The infinitely
superior possibilities of the camera
over the printed page or a cramped
playhouse with painted scenery for
conveying the stirring drama are con-
stantly evident. Lee, Lincoln and
Grant. among other heroes are faith
fully reproduced from extant por
traits and the iikenesses thus shown
are a triumph OF the cosmetic art
With the close of the war and the
ASA ssination Of Lincoln the first act
comes to close. The second is oc-
cupied with the tracing OF the de-
velopment of the nation following the
cataclysm. through reconstruction
days. the tyranny. OF the newly-im-
portant negro. the rebellion of the
white element and their subsequent
recovery of the authority and prestige
that is justly theirs, lnterpolated at
this point are few views showing
the reformation in the negro produced
by education, after which the drama
IL closed by series Of symbolic photo
graphs that emphasize the horror OF
the grim monster in striking contrast
with the happy vision of the day when
the white winged harbinger shall fiy
over the land in the sunshine OF
eternal happiness. the ultimate reign
! OF the Prince of Peace. AS an ex-
ample of the art Photographic, the
/ film excites unremitting admiration
/ Countless scenes OF rare beauty are
shown, thousands of people are en-
ployed and the realism obtained by
the combination OF both elements is
81 notable achievement, The most con-
spicuous Of these are the battle pic
lures, the mtbs of the reconstruction
days in South Carolina and the gath
erine of the ku Klux Khan and their
triumphant rides to the rescue of the
unfortunate oppressed and peril beset
victims. Much impressiveness is lent
realism heightened and unbounded
enthusiasm stimulated by the musical
score of Joseph Briel. interpreted witt
skin and vigor by the efforts of a com