The Birth of a Nation (1915)

About This Movie

The Birth of a Nation is a 1915 drama and history film directed by D.W. Griffith. Its leading cast includes Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh and Henry B. Walthall. It runs for 3 hours 15 minutes. It belongs to The Life of a Nation Collection.

Synopsis

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.

Synopsis from TMDB.

Trailer

Birth of a Nation by D.W. Griffith - Trailer (1915) · plays from YouTube

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
• Joseph Henabery Abraham Lincoln
• Elmer Clifton Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
• Josephine Crowell Mrs. Cameron
• Spottiswoode Aitken Dr. Cameron
• George Beranger Wade Cameron
• Maxfield Stanley Duke Cameron
• Jennie Lee Mammy
• Donald Crisp Gen. U.S. Grant