“The Birth Of A Nation” (*** out of four) was a powerful re-telling of D.W. Griffith’s 1915 story set in Virginia in the 1830’s when a slave (Nate Parker who also produced, directed, and wrote the script) led a rebellion against his slave-traders and owners after his wife and others were abused and murdered which turned into an uprising. Parker does an impressive job on both sides of the camera and tells a story with convincing period detail and punctuated by brutal violence. Particular kudos to Elliot Davis’ rich cinematography. This generated some controversy due to past rape allegations against Parker but he has still made a stirring and effective film.