The Birth of a Nation poster

The Fiery Cross of the Ku Klux Klan!

The Birth of a Nation

5.919153h 15mNR

DramaHistoryWar

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.

Directed by D.W. Griffith

Behind the scenes

Movie screenshots & stills

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CAST

The people behind the story

Lillian Gish

Lillian GishStoneman's Daughter Elsie

Mae Marsh

Mae MarshFlora Cameron

Henry B. Walthall

Henry B. WalthallCol. Ben Cameron

Miriam Cooper

Miriam CooperMargaret Cameron

Mary Alden

Mary AldenStoneman's Housekeeper Lydia

Ralph Lewis

Ralph LewisLeader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman

George Siegmann

George SiegmannLieut. Governor Silas Lynch

Walter Long

Walter LongGus