"THE BIRTH OF A NATION"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16597, 21 July 1917, Page 8

"THE BIRTH OF A NATION"

SPECIAL PRESENTATION.

At Drary Lane Theatre, in London, the experiment of putting on a moving picture, however great, looked at first sight to be exceedingly critical and in all probability likely to result in failure. In addition, there was in England, as there was in New Zealand, a feeling of impatience and disappointment that the United States bad not joined in to make the circle of English-speaking nations complete. However, in spite of this, the season of D. W. Griffith's great spectacle, " The Birth of a Nation," was the most sensational success in film history in England. 'I his was in a measure due to the wonder of the musical setting, and the general investiture and remarkable handling of effects. In every detail these win be repeated when the great drama opens at the Lyric Theatre on Monday night next July 23. ' The absence of speech from the romance as it unrolls is more than made up for by the deft and extraordinary use of tho original music and ingenious effects. The music is characterised by the most telling and effective use of the " leit motif," and the clever adaptation of plantation and the old quaint Southern melodies The presence of Mr Albert L. Grey, the personal representative of Mr. D. W. Griffith, who conducted the tour of' "The Birth of a Nation " through England has meant much in the matter of direction and knowledge of the fine points of the later modes of film presentation, and tho Auckland public wiil be treated to * revelation The box plan is now on view at Burkev's tobacconist Queen Street, opposite Herald Office. The Birth of a Nation " wiil be screened at the Lyric all the week com mencing on Monday next, with matinees every day.