D.W. Griffith and The Birth Of A Nation

The Birth of a Nation (1915) clocks in at over 3 hours in length. Not only is this long for a film in modern times, but considering that just a decade before, films were often less than 15 minutes long, it was a huge advancement in cinema. Directed by D.W Griffith, it comprises hundreds of shots, as was ground breaking in certain techniques.

For example, it was the first ever usage of the POV shot (albeit very short and almost missable). It's usage of mid shots close ups to emphasise emotion also became a huge influence in the future of filmmaking.

Examination into the timings of cuts in the film, also imply that Griffith began the now commonplace act of quicker cuts towards the climax of the film, in order to create tension.