Birth
Of A Nation
(2016/Fox 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)
Picture:
A-/B+ Sound: A-/B+ Extras: B Film: C
The
directorial debut feature from actor/writer Nate Parker, The
Birth of a Nation
(2016) is a violent look at slavery in the 1800s with a beautifully
shot cinematic look with a storyline that is surprisingly close to
many genre films about a slave uprising done too often in recent
years, revolving on the underdog facing off against an alleged
'master race' (or in this case the slaveowners, but oppressors who
always create a mythos to back such claims in all cases) and
ultimately drawing a line in the sand showing equality. Of course,
Birth
of a Nation
is a much more realistic and gritty film (and is based on true
events, though the accuracy of the film has been HEAVILY debated),
but one has to wonder if this was made to teach a historical lesson,
win Academy Awards, possibly sermonize the audience at the expense of
the actual history or to showcase the brutality and inhumane sign of
the times?
The
film sports a strong cast in Armie Hammer, Jackie Earle Haley, Nate
Parker, Aja Naomi King, Mark Boone Junior, Gabrielle Union and
Penelope Ann Miller.
Set
against the antebellum South, Nat Turner (Parker), a literate slave
and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner
(Hammer), accepts an offer to use Nat's preaching to subdue unruly
slaves. Sick of being mistreated, abused and even tortured in seeing
his fellow men, women and children punished, Nat eventually decides
to lead a rebellion against those who are enslaving them. Will it
succeed? What will be the results and fallout?
The
4K Ultra HD disc features a stunning 4K transfer (2160p) with a
2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio that has vibrant colors and impeccable
detail that shows the potential of both the Arri Alexa XT and the Red
Epic Dragon - both of which lensed the film and seem to be a popular
choice for filmmakers shooting digital. (Ron Howard's Inferno
was shot with these same cameras, reviewed elsewhere on this site in
4K as well, so its a popular model).
The
audio mix is a nice sounding DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 5.1
track, which sounds fine but would have been better had it been a 7.1
or 11.1 mix, but this is a lower-budget drama, so there is only so
much to expect. The Blu-ray disc is also included that showcases the
film in 1080p high definition the same audio tracks that isn't as
impressive as 4K but still up to standard.
A
digital UV copy is also included.
Special
Features...
Rise
Up: The Legacy of Nat Turner
documentary
Feature-length
audio commentary by Director Nate Parker
Deleted
Scenes with Optional Director Commentary (also available in 4K
Blu-ray)
The
Birth of a Nation: The Making of a Movement
#AmeriCAN
(Short Film) with Optional Director Commentary
"Free
God" Spoken Word
Celebration
of Independent Voices - Nate Parker
Shooting
Script
Gallery
While
the filmmaking is at times interesting, Birth
of a Nation
isn't much more than another violent look at an ugly time in history
we should never forget.
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
