The Birth of a Nation (1915)

  • PG
  • 02/08/1915 (US)
  • Drama, History, War
  • 3h 13m

The Fiery Cross of the Ku Klux Klan!

Overview

Two families, abolitionist Northerners the Stonemans and Southern landowners the Camerons, intertwine. When Confederate colonel Ben Cameron is captured in battle, nurse Elsie Stoneman petitions for his pardon. In Reconstruction-era South Carolina, Cameron founds the Ku Klux Klan, battling Elsie's congressman father and his African-American protégé, Silas Lynch.

D.W. Griffith

Writer, Director

Frank E. Woods

Screenplay

Thomas F. Dixon Jr.

Novel

Cast

Henry B. Walthall's headshot

Henry B. Walthall

Col. Ben Cameron
Lillian Gish's headshot

Lillian Gish

Stoneman's Daughter Elsie
Miriam Cooper's headshot

Miriam Cooper

Margaret Cameron
Mae Marsh's headshot

Mae Marsh

Flora Cameron
Mary Alden's headshot

Mary Alden

Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia
Ralph Lewis's headshot

Ralph Lewis

Leader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman
George Siegmann's headshot

George Siegmann

Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch
Walter Long's headshot

Walter Long

Gus

Recommendations

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages cover

Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
Cabiria cover

Cabiria
The Musketeers of Pig Alley cover

The Musketeers of Pig Alley
The Age of the Earth cover

The Age of the Earth
Duelle cover

Duelle
Sunnyside cover

Sunnyside
The Champion cover

The Champion
The Great Train Robbery cover

The Great Train Robbery