Film Preview: The Birth of a Nation (2016)

Page Revisions:

(April 17, 2016) Original
(July 10, 2016) New Trailer (#2) / New Poster (#1)

Release Date:

October 7, 2016

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Nat Turner, a former slave in America, leads a liberation movement in 1831 to free African-Americans in Virginia that results in a violent retaliation from whites.”

Poster Rating: A

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Review: I don’t think it’s possible to create a more potent and compelling visual image than this. The blood-stained streaks of the American flag are comprised of dozens of slaves, a nation built on the backs of each of them. It will be incredibly difficult to top this.

Trailer Rating: B- / B-

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Review: (#1) After having heard so many great things about this film, the trailer doesn’t finish out by selling the movie. The first half of the trailer is a most fascinating experience, but it descends into generic scenes of strife in the latter half. Hopefully, a better trailer will be forthcoming.

(#2) I wish I could be more impressed with this trailer. The song playing over much of the trailer is tailor-made for this film, even if not written specifically for it. Some of the scenes are powerful, but the trailer feels like it’s trying hard to check off as many boxes as it can, making it feel anything but effortless.

Oscar Prospects:

There is no more definitive Oscar competitor this year. It will have some stiff competition, but, like 12 Years a Slave, I expect it will ultimately come out on top.