The Birth of a Nation
Seen it?2016 | 120 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (73% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences rate it highly (6.6 out of 10), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved 12 Years a Slave or Glory, start here.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 DGA Award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$16 million worldwide on a $9 million budget; interest faded quickly after launch
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 178K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Nate Parker
- Nate ParkerNat Turner
- Armie HammerSamuel Turner
- Aja Naomi KingCherry
- Jackie Earle HaleyRaymond Cobb
- Penelope Ann MillerElizabeth Turner
- Gabrielle UnionEsther
- Mark Boone JuniorReverend Zalthall
- Aunjanue Ellis-TaylorNancy Turner
- Dwight HenryIsaac Turner
- Esther ScottBridget Turner