The Birth of a Nation backdrop

The Birth of a Nation 1915 Directed by D.W. Griffith

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.

Country USA
Production Country USA
Language English
Spoken Language No Language
Gneres Drama , History , War
Production Company Epoch Film Co.
Budget $100,000
Revenue $11,000,000
Release Date 8 March 1915
195 mins
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
Wallace Reid Jeff, the Blacksmith
Joseph Henabery Abraham Lincoln
Elmer Clifton Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
Josephine Crowell Mrs. Cameron
George Beranger Wade Cameron
Maxfield Stanley Duke Cameron
Donald Crisp Gen. U.S. Grant
Howard Gaye Gen. Robert E. Lee
Sam De Grasse Senator Charles Sumner (uncredited)
William De Vaull Nelse (uncredited)
Willam Freeman Jake / Sentry at Hospital (uncredited)
Tom Wilson Stoneman's Servant (uncredited)
Fred Burns Klansman (uncredited)
Allan Sears Klansman (uncredited)
Elmo Lincoln Blacksmith (uncredited)
Madame Sul-Te-Wan Black Woman (uncredited)
Raoul Walsh John Wilkes Booth (uncredited)
Monte Blue (uncredited)
Harry Braham Cameron's Male Servant (uncredited)
Bob Burns Klan Leader (uncredited)
Edmund Burns Klansman (uncredited)
Edward Burns Klansman (uncredited)
Peggy Cartwright Young Girl in Cabin (uncredited)
Dark Cloud General (uncredited)
Leonore Cooper Elsie's Maid (uncredited)
Charles Eagle Eye Man Who Falls from Roof (uncredited)
John Ford Klansman (uncredited)
Olga Grey Laura Keene (uncredited)
Alberta Lee Mrs. Lincoln (uncredited)
Betty Marsh Child with Dr. Cameron (uncredited)
Donna Montran Belle of 1861 (uncredited)
Eugene Pallette Union Soldier (uncredited)
Alma Rubens Belle of 1861 (uncredited)
Charles Stevens Volunteer (uncredited)
Jules White Confederate Soldier (uncredited)
Violet Wilkey Young Flora Cameron (uncredited)
David Butler Northern Soldier / Confederate Soldier (uncredited)