How Long to Read D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation

How Long Does it Take to Read D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation?

It takes the average reader 7 hours and 15 minutes to read D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation by Melvyn Stokes

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

In this deeply researched and vividly written volume, Melvyn Stokes illuminates the origins, production, reception and continuing history of this ground-breaking, aesthetically brilliant, and yet highly controversial movie. By going back to the original archives, particularly the NAACP and D. W. Griffith Papers, Stokes explodes many of the myths surrounding The Birth of a Nation (1915). Yet the story that remains is fascinating: the longest American film of its time, Griffith's film incorporated many new features, including the first full musical score compiled for an American film. It was distributed and advertised by pioneering methods that would quickly become standard. Through the high prices charged for admission and the fact that it was shown, at first, only in "live" theaters with orchestral accompaniment, Birth played a major role in reconfiguring the American movie audience by attracting more middle-class patrons. But if the film was a milestone in the history of cinema, it was also undeniably racist. Stokes shows that the darker side of this classic movie has its origins in the racist ideas of Thomas Dixon, Jr. and Griffith's own Kentuckian background and earlier film career. The book reveals how, as the years went by, the campaign against the film became increasingly successful. In the 1920s, for example, the NAACP exploited the fact that the new Ku Klux Klan, which used Griffith's film as a recruiting and retention tool, was not just anti-black, but also anti-Catholic and anti-Jewish, as a way to mobilize new allies in opposition to the film. This crisply written book sheds light on both the film's racism and the aesthetic brilliance of Griffith's filmmaking. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the cinema.

How long is D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation?

D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation by Melvyn Stokes is 432 pages long, and a total of 108,864 words.

This makes it 146% the length of the average book. It also has 133% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 9 hours and 54 minutes to read D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation aloud.

What Reading Level is D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation?

D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation?

D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation by Melvyn Stokes is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

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