The Birth of a Nation

"The Untold Story of Nat Turner"

2016 2h 0m EN

👍

6.6

SOLID

★6.6TMDB · 585

Drama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Nat Turner, a former slave in America, leads a liberation movement in 1831 to free African-Americans in Virginia that results in a violent retaliation from whites.

“The Untold Story of Nat Turner”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Nate Parker
Nat Turner
Armie Hammer
Samuel Turner
Aja Naomi King
Cherry
Jackie Earle Haley
Raymond Cobb
Penelope Ann Miller
Elizabeth Turner
Gabrielle Union
Esther
Mark Boone Junior
Reverend Zalthall
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Nancy Turner

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Nate Parker
Writers: Jean McGianni Celestin, Nate Parker, Nate Parker
Languages: English
Countries: Canada, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 10 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Canada, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Nate Parker, shot by Elliot Davis. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Henry Jackman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Steven Rosenblum shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Nate Parker and Armie Hammer and Aja Naomi King carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "The Untold Story of Nat Turner".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt4196450 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Nate Parker directs. Elliot Davis behind the camera. Henry Jackman scores. Steven Rosenblum cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in Canada, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 10 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: Canada, United States of America.
3Directed by Nate Parker, shot by Elliot Davis. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Henry Jackman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Steven Rosenblum shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Nate Parker and Armie Hammer and Aja Naomi King carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "The Untold Story of Nat Turner".
8IMDB entry: tt4196450 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Released under 10 different titles around the world.

The technical file

Cinematography: Elliot Davis
Original score: Henry Jackman
Editing: Steven Rosenblum
Production design: Geoffrey Kirkland
Costume design: Francine Jamison-Tanchuck
Makeup / hair: Douglas Noe
VFX supervisor: George Loucas
Sound: Craig Henighan
Runtime: 120 min · 2h 0m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $8,500,000
Box office: $15,861,566
Return: 187% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: The Birth of a Nation (2016)

Awards

Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Award
Sundance Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Nate Parker

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Reno2017-03-16
★ 7/10
Book and non-violence versus weapon and upraising. The best thing about this film is the script that based on the real. Such films are really worth a watch, before that, worth to be made. But did it depicted accurately is what we don't know. So here the effort should be appreciated and everyone who involved in it. It was about the African-Americans during the early 19th century. The film focused on a boy who learnt to read and write became a preacher. He taught his community about all the good and bad. But it all comes into question when he realises that what he reads in the book is not the same in the real world. He has been in the path of non-violence all his life and now at the crossroad, he forced to take a weapon and fight back for the freedom. An inspiring film. If it was well written and made, would have been an Oscar material. Though the actors were good and well shot in locations. Nate Parker was brilliant in the lead, as well his direction was not bad, particularly in his first attempt. Previously, he had done some fine roles, but this is his best appearance. Perfect length and pace to sit for it patiently looking for the next events in the narration. Had some too much violence in a few scenes, but those were very much needed. Despite the film telling a true story, it did not appeal enough due to the lack of proper improvement in narration. Which I blame for not availability of proper information and records. Surely one of the best among in the year, not one of the top films of the year. So it is a must see then. 7/10

Production companies