The Art of Storytelling: The Birth of a Nation

Griffith's film, "The Birth of a Nation," set the bar for what a narrative storyline should be in cinema, for his time period and today as well. During an era of short, silent films, which often only depicted a single circumstance or shallow plot, the film seemed to be the model for any story portrayed as an epic of events that spanned over many years and covered several events. While at the same time he …

…the same ideas and personal experiences. Both Griffith's film, "The Birth of a Nation," and Lee's picture, "Do the Right Thing," use elaborate storylines to distribute personal views and propaganda among a large media. However, even though Griffith's is more extreme and inaccurate both films are highly potent to their target audiences. The storylines offer very believable and motivational narratives that can inspire intense conviction, whether it is full of resolve or filled with hate.