THE BIRTH OF A NATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1916, Page 6

THE BIRTH OF A NATION.

PICTURE DRAMA "IN EXCELSIS." GREAT DEMONSTRATION AT TIIE EMPIRE ''The Birth of a Nation" is colossal. It ci'acks all previous records in the field of moving dramatic pictures. It embodies a rare conjunction of the romantic, instorieal, and spectacular. In each s-pheiv. .'t- is remarkable to a high degree, and as a concrete illustration of how the American Republic emerged through its internecine warfare and its troubles in dealing with the enslaved negro it is unique. It is a mass of absorbingly interesting detail. The sensations created are quickening and inspiring to the utmost- degree. One is lost in amazement at the consummate art which has been concentaared on this prime work in the niciure world. If any doubt were left as to tne possibility of the ordinary stage being eclipsed by the motion picture for dramatic purposes, it is swept away by the overpowering force and complexity of this marvellous .photographic presentment.

These sentiments will certainly lie endorsed by the large audience which assembled at the Empire Theatre last night at regular theatre prices, and applauded the many exciting scenes from start to finish.

But the reception accorded the pictorial drama was only a mild reflection of the enthusiasm which has been created in the United States. There it has been declared the greatest dramatic film spectacle ever produced, and as representing a new epoch in art. In ''The Birth of a Nation," at one period four different scenes .provocative of thrilling emotion are carried on in what is practically a concurrent fashion." In a tribute which one American writer, Rupert Iluglies, was moved to offer in relation to this great picture drama, he rjmarked: "When I saw 'The Birth of a Nation' the,first time, I was so overwhelmed by the immensity of it that I said: 'lt makes the most spectacular production of drama look like the work of village amateurs. It reduces to childishness the biggest things the theatre can do.' "

To go into the details of this gigantic creation would be altogether beyond the scope of a single notice, -and only some general -references can be -made in this article. Briefly, the drama exhibits in natural -pulsating vigor how Abraham Lincoln entered upon the emancipation of slavery in the States, the complications that ensued through the sudden access of liberty to the slaves in the South, and the struggle for union and supremacy of the white race. The scenes of strife between the soldiers from North and South are simply marvels of exactitude. At the time of the civil war in America, the arena of conflict was much more compressed than in these present terrible times of deep trenches and long-dis-tance devastating artillery. Therefore the frays can he readijy represented with the scope of the camera. The tragic end of President Lnic-oln, who was shot during a performance at Ford's Theatre by Wilkes Booth, a maddened actor, is shown in an intensely realistic manner.

The first act includes enough matter for a story in itself. In it there is a wonderful wealth of inciden* but an quallv stupendous .second act succeeds and the sensational quality is on an ascending scale. The mtrages of negroes who have been .placed in a false position bv notions of equality are cleanly but clearly indicated and then the secret 'creation of the force which effectively subdued them is presented. The Ku Klux Klan—the organisation of 'moonlighters," who rise into existence as if by magic in their ghostly garments—create quite an uncanny feeling in the first instance, but afterwards, when they are seen in battalions galloping all. over the country to come to i.he rescue of the ill-used whites, the progress of the play i's watched with ever-growing exhilaration. The denouement in the human plot which forms the -centre-piece of the play is a magnificent achievement in sensational stagecraft.

In expressing full appreciation of the great representation which was given at the Empire last night, much credit must he awarded to the capable orcnestra which performed the fine incidental music, under the control of the pianistconductor, Mr. Horace -Keats. There was an appropriately American flavor in some of the music, but a commendable reticence was noticeable in this regard, good classical operatic selections being largely drawn upon to work up the excitement i"~ *he dramatic climaxes.

There will be two more -performances of "The Birth of a Nation" —at a matinee commencing at '2.30 this afternoon, and the final presentation at 8 to-night.