ENTERTAINMENTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9081, 25 August 1917, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

« THE BIRTH OF A NATION."

There had been a groat deal of expectation as to who would control in New Zealand the great picture production " The Birth of a Nation." At one time the chances of seeing this wonderful creation of D. W. Grifiiths's master mind screened in New Zealand seemed to be out of the question owing to the enormous cost of the film. However, the enterprising firm of J. C. , Williamson, Ltd., came forward with an offer which debarred lesser theatrical moving-picture managers from competing. Enormous though..the figure ■ paid for it ;was, it did not deter J. C. Williamson, Ltd., paying it, and thus enabling them to present to the Dominion , play and picture patrons the mightiest movingpictiure spectacle, '" The Birth of a Nation." This wonderful spectacle will be shown again at His Majesty's Theatre on two nights of, next week. Not only does' the picture present a series of gigantic spectacles, in which over 18,000 men, women, and children, and, also 3000 horses, appear, but there is a story'funning through it of love and romance in tender ;and stirrin . gmood. In " The' Birth of .a Nation " it will be seen why Abraham Lincoln is the one great "outstanding figures in "• American ;\ history^;. Of humble' .origin, ■through sheer ■ i force arid nobility of character "he became the dominating -personality in the greatest crisis a country ever endured. His was the healing, hand;',. his the greatest heart that made a bleeding nation whole. It is brought home in the story of the Camerons, the fortunes of whose house are followed in, " Tho Birth of a Nation." ' Reduced from comfort to the meanest poverty, they still kept a brave face. The home-coming of their only surviving son, " The Little ' Colonel," .is the most touching incident ever screened. All might have still gone well had Lincoln been spared. With, his death the SoUjth became the prey of political adventurers exploiting the, negro vote. The whites were terrorised; the women dared not go out of doors; the men, outnumbered and disarmed, were openly insulted. Murder was rife, vice unrestrained, and an orgy, of violence held sway. Griffiths, in his wonderful speotacle, depicts with lightning vivid- J ness. this reign of terror, and through it all weaved a love story as great as that of Romeo and Juliet.

The box plan is now open at The Bristol.