Recognition of a New Art circa 1915

Amidst the police terrorism sweeping the country, I have seen and read signs that read, “This country was built on racism.”

Certainly the film industry was. One hundred years ago, director D.W. Griffith adapted Rev. Thomas Dixon’s (Baptist) bestselling novel The Clansmen into the three-hour 1915 Cavil War epic “The Birth of a Nation.” In sum, the film and novel glorified the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the South after the Civil War. Depictions of blacks are among the most brutally offensive ever filmed.

Recognition of a New Art is from the magazine sold to audiences of “The Birth of a Nation” in 1915 in New York.

Recognition of a New Art

“The Birth of a Nation” as presented by Mr. D. W. Griffith in New York was a revelation that raised the standard of motion pictures one thousand per cent, in a night. It was a radical departure to present this photographic spectacle in one of the first-class metropolitan theaters which had never been used for a motion picture production before. A further daring achievement was to present the work at the same scale of prices charged for the finest dramatic offerings on the New York stage. The reception of the production was quite as unusual. All the recognized New York critics attended opening performance, many for the first time writing a serious review of a picture drama. The chorus of praise was unanimous as well as astonishing. This united verdict was but a repetition of the wonderful things said of the work by men in every walk of life. U.S. Senators, Congressmen, artists, writers, illustrators, diplomats, historians, clergymen, in fact men of every profession expressed their appreciation in no uncertain terms. A few extracts from this worldwide chorus will serve to illustrate the case:

“It shows war as it really is.” –Richard Harding Davis

“In the short space of three hours the audience sees, hears, and feels a period of fifteen years.” Rev. Father John Talbot Smith

“It will take the whole country by storm.” Booth Tarkington

“I know it is true because I lived through the actual realities it depicts.” Rev. Thomas B. Gregory

“It is worth $5 a seat.” New York Evening Journal

“You see, as the angels looking down from Heaven must have seen,e exactly what took place fifty years ago.” Dorothy Dix

“The biggest attraction of this season. It brings the audiences to their feet as no theatrical play has in many, many years.” James S. Metcalfe, Life

“The most glorious accomplishment in any art I have ever seen.” – Governor Hiram Johnson of California (In the California Hall of Fame)

“Only a genius could have conceived and produced such an inspiring spectacle.” Amy Leslie, Chicago Daily News

“The true greatness of the picture lies in its emotional appeal.” New York News

“A new epoch in the art is reached.” New York Herald

“It is big and fine.” Evening World

“Wins popularity because of its thrilling war scenes.” New York Tribune

“A masterpiece of a new form of art.” Chicago Tribune

“Never before has such a combination of spectacle and tense drama been seen.” N. Y. Sun

“Achieved a striking degree of success.” New York Times

“Made a profound impression.” N.Y. Press

“Swept a sophisticated audience like a prairie fire before a windshield.” New York Mail

“Beyond doubts the most extraordinary picture that has been seen.” New York Globe.

Jim Patterson, Editor

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