Online Film School Free » The Evolution of Cinema » Analyzing the Chase and Surveillance Sequence in “The Birth of a Nation”
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ToggleIn our ongoing exploration of D.W. Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation, we turn our focus to a pivotal chase and surveillance sequence that exemplifies Griffith’s mastery of tension and emotional manipulation. This scene not only illustrates his innovative editing techniques but also highlights the controversial racial themes that pervade the film.
The sequence begins with a light-hearted moment as a young white woman goes to fetch water from a well. She appears cheerful and playful, a stark contrast to the danger that awaits her. As she ventures into the forest, Griffith uses this setting to signify impending peril, a common trope to denote vulnerability and the unknown.
As the woman draws water, the film shifts to her point of view, creating a pastoral, almost idyllic atmosphere that sharply contrasts with the looming threat.
This shift is crucial as it builds sympathy for her while simultaneously setting up the suspense of the chase. The scene cleverly cuts back to the pursuer, who reaches the spot she was previously, indicating he has not given up the chase.
The mood shifts dramatically when a black man appears and starts following her after she has reached a secluded area. This pursuit is classic Griffith—using a chase to heighten the stakes and engage the audience’s fear for the woman’s safety.
The portrayal of the black man is deeply problematic; he is depicted with exaggerated negative stereotypes, stooped, and with facial expressions designed to evoke disgust from the audience. This depiction plays into the racial fears and prejudices of the time.
The tension escalates as we cut away to the Ku Klux Klan leader’s home, where we learn his sister has not returned. This introduces the classic “Griffith’s Last Minute Rescue” scenario, ramping up the narrative stakes and aligning the audience’s anticipation for a dramatic climax.
As the chase intensifies, Griffith uses more close-ups, narrowing the physical and emotional distance between the audience and the characters.
In a tragic turn, the girl, in an effort to escape and maintain her “principles and beliefs,” jumps off a cliff, a dramatic and fatal decision that Griffith uses to manipulate the audience’s emotions to an extreme. This act is designed to evoke a sense of injustice and desire for vengeance, which Griffith manipulates to justify the violent actions of the Klan members who seek retribution.
This sequence is a stark example of how Griffith’s film techniques—such as cross-cutting, point-of-view shots, and close-ups—were used to advance cinematic language and serve a narrative that reinforced dangerous racial stereotypes and justified racial violence. The emotional manipulation employed here showcases Griffith’s ability to engage audiences while also highlighting the ethical responsibilities filmmakers carry in the portrayal of race and violence. As we continue to dissect Griffith’s works, it’s crucial to recognize both his technical contributions to cinema and the profound social implications of his storytelling choices.
In our analysis of *The Birth of a Nation*, one of the most contentious and historically significant scenes is the depiction of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) as heroes. This sequence not only underscores D.W. Griffith’s use of film as a medium for potent storytelling but also demonstrates how cinema can be used for propagandistic purposes.
The scene in question takes place in a cabin, where white characters, portrayed as nobles, find themselves besieged by Black men, including a black servant who demands to sleep with the daughter of the house. This demand is portrayed as the breaking point for the father, depicted as a liberal-minded individual, highlighting Griffith’s message that giving political power to African Americans (portrayed negatively throughout the film) leads to societal and moral decay. The scene uses extreme racial stereotypes to create a sense of danger and to justify the subsequent actions of the KKK.
Griffith employs various cinematic techniques to heighten the tension and drama of the scene, using close-ups to capture the emotional turmoil of the characters and cross-cutting to build suspense. However, the underlying message of the scene is clear: it is a call for the KKK to intervene and “save the day,” portraying them as the necessary force to restore order and protect white women and families from the perceived threat of black men.
This depiction effectively unites characters from both the North and the South under the banner of white supremacy, suggesting a common cause transcending the historical divisions of the Civil War. The film propagates the idea that the reunification of America requires the subjugation or exclusion of African Americans, a profoundly racist notion that had real-world implications, contributing to the resurgence of the actual Ku Klux Klan during the 20th century.
Griffith was deeply affected by the severe criticism he received for the overt racist themes in *The Birth of a Nation*. In response, he released another film titled *Intolerance* (1916), which ostensibly addressed themes of intolerance throughout history. Though *Intolerance* was an attempt to showcase Griffith’s disapproval of bigotry, the irony was that it served as an indirect response to the backlash against his previous film’s racist content rather than a direct condemnation of the ideologies it promoted.
This scene from *The Birth of a Nation* exemplifies how D.W. Griffith’s pioneering cinematic techniques were used to deliver powerful and controversial messages, solidifying his role in the development of cinematic propaganda. As we continue to explore Griffith’s legacy, it’s essential to critically examine how his influential works have shaped both the art of filmmaking and the propagation of cultural and racial narratives.
In our next article, we will delve into Griffith’s *Intolerance*, exploring how this film was used to address his critics and what it reveals about his perspectives on race, cinema, and society. Join us as we continue to uncover the complexities of Griffith’s cinematic contributions and their lasting impact on film and culture.