The Birth of a Nation (1915)
The Fiery Cross of the Ku Klux Klan!
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.
Director: D.W. Griffith
Genre: Drama, History, War
Runtime: 195 min
Release Date: March 8, 1915
Cast
- Lillian Gish - Stoneman's Daughter Elsie
- Mae Marsh - Flora Cameron
- Henry B. Walthall - Col. Ben Cameron
- Miriam Cooper - Margaret Cameron
- Mary Alden - Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia
- Ralph Lewis - Leader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman
- George Siegmann - Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch
- Walter Long - Gus
- Robert Harron - Tod
- Wallace Reid - Jeff, the Blacksmith
Screenplay
- Frank E. Woods (Screenplay)
- D.W. Griffith
- Thomas F. Dixon Jr. (Novel)
- Thomas F. Dixon Jr. (Adaptation)
Cinematography: Joseph Carl Breil, Billy Bitzer
Editing: Joseph Henabery, James Smith
Production: Epoch Film Co.
Country: United States of America
Language: No Language
Budget: $100,000
Box Office: $11M
Original Language: en
Themes
American Civil War: Divided States, The Horror of War and Humanity
Keywords
army, ku klux klan, southern usa, racist, silent film, american civil war, reconstruction era, controversial
Trailer
The Birth of a Nation TrailerSimilar Movies
More Films by Director: D.W. Griffith
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Birth of a Nation about?
- 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.
- Who directed The Birth of a Nation?
- The Birth of a Nation was directed by D.W. Griffith.
- Who stars in The Birth of a Nation?
- The Birth of a Nation stars Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh, Henry B. Walthall, Miriam Cooper, Mary Alden, Ralph Lewis.
- How long is The Birth of a Nation?
- The Birth of a Nation has a runtime of 3h 15m (195 minutes).
- What genre is The Birth of a Nation?
- The Birth of a Nation is a Drama, History, War film.
- What is the budget of The Birth of a Nation?
- The Birth of a Nation had a budget of $100,000.
- How much did The Birth of a Nation gross?
- The Birth of a Nation grossed $11M worldwide.
- Where was The Birth of a Nation produced?
- The Birth of a Nation was produced in United States of America.
- What are the themes of The Birth of a Nation?
- The themes of The Birth of a Nation include: American Civil War: Divided States, The Horror of War and Humanity.