Birth of a Nation 8mm questions.

[Jesse Logue]

Hey guys so I picked up a cheap copy of Birth of a Nation I checked the two but I talked him down so much that he said two cases from a famous company would be worth more than I paid. Searching google the first 7 pages was just about how it's the worst most racist movie in history. I agree it's a racist movie but it's a part of history. I just need help from the experts what version do I have? I asked on multiple film forums and Reddit responses but I think I finally found the right place. What do you guys think which version do I have and why do I have the full version? When I opened them all up I realized the one is a completely different color making me think its not a full version. What could I expect the value to be around for just the film?

[Osi Osgood]

Is it standard 8mm or Super 8? At 5X400ft, it might by slightly edited

[Joerg Polzfusz]

Theoretically, each film should have a short printed leader (after the white leader) from the distributor with something like „birth of a nation - reel #3 - order number 1234 - castle films“ on it. It’s readable with the naked eye - no projector needed.

The EKC on the can is for Eastman Kodak Company (with a logo used between approximately 1907 and 1935). But even though Kodak had a rental division for films (called „Kodak Library“ if I am not mistaken), I kind of doubt that the can means that the films are from Kodak. Kodak was simply the main manufacturer for filmstock, cans and reels in the USA until the 1950s.

[Jesse Logue]

Is it standard 8mm or Super 8? At 5X400ft, it might by slightly edited

I'm not sure the difference where can I find that information?

[Douglas Meltzer]

Jesse,

The color of the reel doesn't really mean anything. Could you unspool a foot or two of the film and post a close up picture so we can see the frames & sprocket holes clearly? That way we can tell whether it's Super 8mm or Standard 8mm. Also, it's hard to tell scale from the pictures. Are these 7" reels? Thanks!

[Joerg Polzfusz]

The first 8mm wide format has got several different names: Standard8, Regular8, Normal8 and (when mentioned before the introduction of Super8 in 1965) simply „8mm“.

[Osi Osgood]

Joerg, thanks 4 that illustration!

[Jesse Logue]

When I get some time I'll take some closeups I see there's a sales section I already have them on sale for what I've seen others sold for 11 bucks plus shipping. Think I should post then on here? I'd rather not pay the eBay fees.

[Osi Osgood]

You'll get more bids, probably, on ebay. I once had a print of this on standard 8mm on an early geveart belium film stock, it had a strong VS smell, but oddly, this was more because of the fixitive used to put the mag stripe on it.