Film · Drama, History, War
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
- Writers
- D.W. Griffith, Frank E. Woods, Thomas F. Dixon Jr.
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Release date
- March 8, 1915
Cast
Lillian GishStoneman's Daughter Elsie
Mae MarshFlora Cameron
Henry B. WalthallCol. Ben Cameron
Miriam CooperMargaret Cameron
Mary AldenStoneman's Housekeeper Lydia
Ralph LewisLeader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman
George SiegmannLieut. Governor Silas Lynch
Walter LongGus
Robert HarronTod
Wallace ReidJeff, the Blacksmith
Joseph HenaberyAbraham Lincoln
Elmer CliftonStoneman's Elder Son Phil
Josephine CrowellMrs. Cameron
Spottiswoode AitkenDr. Cameron
George BerangerWade Cameron
Maxfield StanleyDuke Cameron
Jennie LeeMammy
Donald CrispGen. U.S. Grant
Howard GayeGen. Robert E. Lee
Sam De GrasseSenator Charles Sumner (uncredited)
