The Birth of a Nation

Name: The Birth of a Nation
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Released: October 7, 2016
Duration: 120 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Armie Hammer, Aunjanue Ellis, Colman Domingo, Jackie Earle Haley, Mark Boone Junior

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 50 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 116 Ratings

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5.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 116 Ratings

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The Birth Of A Nation

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: October 7, 2016 | R

Starring: Armie Hammer, Aunjanue Ellis, Colman Domingo, Jackie Earle Haley, Mark Boone Junior, Nate Parker, Penelope Ann Miller

Summary: In the antebellum South, Nat Turner (Nate Parker) is a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities - against himself and his fellow slaves - Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes ofIn the antebellum South, Nat Turner (Nate Parker) is a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities - against himself and his fellow slaves - Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.… Expand

Director: Nate Parker

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History

Rating: R

Runtime: 120 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Kyle Smith

Oct 6, 2016

Both broader and deeper than the relentless and monotonous “12 Years a Slave,” it’s one of the few important movies to hit cinemas this year. Read full review

Bilge Ebiri

Jan 26, 2016

It's a beautiful, reflective film even as it is also a brutal, visceral one. Read full review

James Mottram

Dec 22, 2016

An impressive directorial debut – and acting turn – from Parker that deserves to be seen, despite the PR firestorm. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Oct 5, 2016

It’s a complicated movie about a complex man that courts controversy, both intentional and not. If that doesn’t make it a great movie, it makes it a necessary one, now more than ever. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Oct 6, 2016

The Birth of a Nation is a flawed but fairly compelling chapter of the American story that powerfully resonates with how that story is playing out today. Read full review

Mike Scott

Oct 6, 2016

The Birth of a Nation is ultimately involving as a cinematic history lesson. It is its flashes of modern relevance, however, in which it scores most effectively. Read full review

Barry Hertz

Oct 6, 2016

The director’s pedestrian tactics are most evident in his command, or lack thereof, over his cast. While Parker knows how to expertly play to the camera – he all but winks at the audience, so confident is he in his admittedly captivating lead performance – he abandons his fellow actors, allowing them to exploit their worst instincts: hammy accents, wild gesticulating, uneasy line readings. Read full review

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User Reviews

Docean

Oct 17, 2016

This movie was Amazing! Nate Parker did a flawless job expressing the pains of slavery. I am not going to lie me & my husband were shaking & crying after the movie ended..could not drive our car until we got our cry out.

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

Foreverangel

Oct 7, 2016

This movie was mind blowing and one of the best movies I have ever seen. He was genius in writing, producing and directing this move while also having a leading role. Unlike other slave movies that have been done in the past, this movie set itself apart as the audience viewed the suchThis movie was mind blowing and one of the best movies I have ever seen. He was genius in writing, producing and directing this move while also having a leading role. Unlike other slave movies that have been done in the past, this movie set itself apart as the audience viewed the such bravery, will and spirit of the slaves despite being under wicked oppression. This movie also highlighted such horrors that slaves were left to endure and how evil many slaveholders were. Mr. Parker also added a dash of ancestry to the movie which intensified the movie all the more. I will purchase the DVD when it is available and recommend this movie for all to see.… Expand

4 of 11 users found this helpful47

IPOCHASE

Oct 10, 2016

The movie "Birth of a Nation" is truly a great film, especially for young black Americans who will not learn about Nat Turner because our education system purposely leaves this piece out. The negative views are biased, they would prefer to see slave movies where slaves were nothing butThe movie "Birth of a Nation" is truly a great film, especially for young black Americans who will not learn about Nat Turner because our education system purposely leaves this piece out. The negative views are biased, they would prefer to see slave movies where slaves were nothing but submissive, people are simply upset that this is a film about slave rebellion… Expand

6 of 14 users found this helpful68

Ralfbergs

Feb 18, 2017

I enjoyed the movie and acting, it talked about a really important topic. Some do say that it could have been a lot better, but I think it was still pretty good and it is an important movie

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

EpicLadySponge

Oct 7, 2016

Movie has a bit of flaws back and forth, but you got to admit it took us 101 years to get a feature film of this bad boy and it actually worked. Despite whether it pulls facts or not, you got to give it a chance and watch it.

4 of 13 users found this helpful49

Muskrat147

Oct 20, 2016

Even with Nate Parker's fantastic performance, The Birth of a Nation's heavy-handed direction and flawed narrative make the viewing experience slightly boring and uninteresting.

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

lucasmorlim

May 17, 2021

Propaganda, Propaganda, Propaganda, Propaganda, Propaganda, Propaganda, Propaganda, Propaganda.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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