The Birth of a Nation
A literate enslaved preacher transforms his moral outrage into a desperate rebellion against the antebellum slave system.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- solemn
- harrowing
- fervent
- serious historical viewing
- social justice discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film’s conviction, direction, performances, and vital message powerful enough to outweigh narrative flaws and uneven execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Nat Turner’s literacy, religious vocation, and preaching evolve into leadership of an uprising.
Nat’s Christian preaching and visions are juxtaposed with the atrocities inflicted on enslaved people.
Nat organizes enslaved people to resist plantation violence and pursue freedom.
The film repeatedly foregrounds atrocities against Nat and his fellow slaves, building toward a brutal uprising.
Films like The Birth of a Nation, and why
12 Years a Slave
shared biographical drama, slavery-era setting, historical trauma, and searing depiction of racial oppression
Amistad
shared historical drama, abolitionist themes, moral conviction, and emotionally intense treatment of slavery
Harriet
shared Black historical drama, resistance against racial violence, and themes of liberation and collective action
Movie Details
- Director
- Nate Parker
- Release Date
- 2016-09-09
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (585)
Cast
- Nate Parker
- Armie Hammer
- Aja Naomi King
- Jackie Earle Haley
- Penelope Ann Miller
- Gabrielle Union
- Mark Boone Junior
- Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
- Dwight Henry
- Esther Scott
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Birth of a Nation about?
- A literate enslaved preacher transforms his moral outrage into a desperate rebellion against the antebellum slave system.
- What is The Birth of a Nation like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Birth of a Nation as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Birth of a Nation violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Birth of a Nation as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Birth of a Nation?
- Critics broadly found the film’s conviction, direction, performances, and vital message powerful enough to outweigh narrative flaws and uneven execution.
- Which films are like The Birth of a Nation?
- Films with a similar feel include 12 Years a Slave, Amistad, and Harriet.
- How long is The Birth of a Nation?
- The Birth of a Nation runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Birth of a Nation?
- In United States, The Birth of a Nation is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
