Produced in 1930 for the re-release of “Birth of a Nation”, this short features an interview with controversial director D. W. Griffith by actor Walter Huston (the star of Griffith’s 1930 feature “Abraham Lincoln”). In this prelude, which may or may not have ever been presented with the film (experts disagree), Griffith explains his motivations for making the silent epic in 1915. The setting is supposedly the den of a comfortable home, with children (child actors of course) shown eavesdropping on the conversation. Before the interview begins, Huston dramatically presents Griffith with a Civil War saber that belonged to a Confederate officer — with Griffith stating that it is similar to one his “father wore”. Griffith then talks about his Southern roots, and answers Huston’s questions as to whether “Birth of a Nation” was actually a reflection of his father’s experience. “Well, now that you mention it perhaps I did…,” says Griffith. “I suppose it began when I was a child, I used to get under the table and listen to my father and his friends talk about the battles they’d been through and their struggles. Those things impress you deeply.” At (3:59) Griffith states that his mother told him about “staying up night after night, sewing robes for the Klan. The Klan,” he adds,”… at that time was needed, and served a purpose.” After Huston praises the film as Griffith’s greatest work, the director talks about why it stands the test of time: “It’s about something, ” he intones. “You can tell easily a story about something. About a tremendous struggle. About a … a story about people who were fighting desperately against great odds, great sacrifice and suffering, death. A great struggle, a great story.”
Originally known as The Clansman and based on a novel of that name by Thomas Dixon Jr., “Birth of the Nation” was one of the biggest box office blockbusters ever made. It was also one of the most controversial films in history due to its blackface portrayals of African Americans, anti-Semitic plot elements, and its attempt to celebrate the nobility of the Southern cause and whitewash the horrors of reconstruction while simultaneously glorifying the role of the KKK, whose members were portrayed as heroes. The film led to riots in several cities in the North, and the NAACP tried to have the film banned — a move that prompted Griffith to produced “Intolerance” as his next picture.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
