army,ku klux klan,southern usa,racist,silent film,american civil war,reconstruction era,controversial

The Birth of a Nation (1915)

Poster for The Birth of a Nation

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.

Cast & Crew

Director
D.W. Griffith
  • Profile picture of Henry B. Walthall
    Col. Ben Cameron Henry B. Walthall
  • Profile picture of Lillian Gish
    Stoneman's Daughter Elsie Lillian Gish
  • Profile picture of Miriam Cooper
    Margaret Cameron Miriam Cooper
  • Profile picture of Mae Marsh
    Flora Cameron Mae Marsh
  • Profile picture of Mary Alden
    Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia Mary Alden
  • Profile picture of Ralph Lewis
    Leader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman Ralph Lewis
  • Profile picture of George Siegmann
    Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch George Siegmann
  • Profile picture of Walter Long
    Gus Walter Long

Recommendations

  • Poster for Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
  • Poster for The Musketeers of Pig Alley
  • Poster for Cabiria
  • Poster for Alice in Wonderland
  • Poster for The Temptation of St. Tony
  • Poster for The Age of the Earth
  • Poster for Behind the Doors of Umberto Eco
  • Poster for Sunnyside

Keywords

  • army
  • ku klux klan
  • southern usa
  • racist
  • silent film
  • american civil war
  • reconstruction era
  • controversial