The Birth of a Nation(1915)
“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.
Director
D.W. Griffith
Studio
Epoch Film Co.
Budget
$100K
Revenue
$11M
Cast
Lillian Gish
as Stoneman's Daughter Elsie
Mae Marsh
as Flora Cameron
Henry B. Walthall
as Col. Ben Cameron
Miriam Cooper
as Margaret Cameron
Mary Alden
as Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia
Ralph Lewis
as Leader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman
George Siegmann
as Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch
Walter Long
as Gus
Robert Harron
as Tod
Wallace Reid
as Jeff, the Blacksmith
Joseph Henabery
as Abraham Lincoln
Elmer Clifton
as Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
Where to Watch
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Movie Facts
Release Year
1915
Runtime
3h 13m
Language
No Language
Rating
6 / 10
Budget
$100K
Box Office
$11M
Production Companies
Epoch Film Co. • D.W. Griffith Productions • Epoch Productions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Birth of a Nation?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for The Birth of a Nation (1915).
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 and released in 1915. It is a drama, history, war film.
How long is The Birth of a Nation?▼
The Birth of a Nation has a runtime of 3 hours and 13 minutes (193 minutes total).
Who stars in The Birth of a Nation?▼
The cast of The Birth of a Nation includes Lillian Gish as Stoneman's Daughter Elsie, Mae Marsh as Flora Cameron, Henry B. Walthall as Col. Ben Cameron, Miriam Cooper as Margaret Cameron, Mary Alden as Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia and more.
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