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The Birth of a Nation Poster

The Birth of a Nation

PG
Movie
1915
3h 13m
English
Drama, History, War
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.
Rating
WATCHMODE
5.9
IMDB
The Birth of a Nation (1915) on IMDb
CRITIC SCORE
88

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Henry B Walthall
Col. Ben Cameron
Lillian Gish
Stoneman's Daughter Elsie
Miriam Cooper
Margaret Cameron
Mae Marsh
Flora Cameron
Mary Alden
Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia
Ralph Lewis
Leader of the House Hon. Austin Sto...
George Siegmann
Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch
Joseph Henabery
Abraham Lincoln
Wallace Reid
Jeff, the Blacksmith
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
Woodrow Wilson
Gen. Robert E. Lee
Sam De Grasse
Charles Sumner
Willam Freeman
Jake / Sentry at Hospital
Tom Wilson
Stoneman's Servant
Fred Burns
Klansman
Allan Sears
Klansman
Elmo Lincoln
Blacksmith
Directed By: D.W. Griffith
Written By: D.W. Griffith, Frank E. Woods (Screenplay), + 1 more

Featured Comments/Tips

Zephir says...
8 years ago
One of the most controversial movies of all time due to it's anti-black racism and the fact that this film inspired the formation of the 2nd Ku Klux Klan in the same year, but it's also a very innovative film from the early years of cinema, as seen in it's running time of 190 minutes (it was the longest movie until then), the impressive battle scenes of the American Civil War, many technical improvements like tracking shots, movie shots at night (thanks to magnesium flares) and the immense production costs at it's time of $100.000. So, obviously this film isn't for everyone, but I recommend it to people who are interested in the history of film, likes silent movies or simply want a deeper look in the events about the Civil War/Reconstruction Era or the founding of the KKK.
Like  -  Dislike  -  Comment  -  1100
AgentDrTran says...
7 years ago
I'm aware this film is incredibly culturally significant, pioneered a boatload of film techniques, is one of the great american films, etc. The acting is great, the editing is great, there's nothing mechanically wrong with the film at all. At the time it was a magnificent feat of film-making; but also inspired the KKK to restart with its racist revisionism. It's an unabashedly racism film, made by a man who claims repeatedly to be an angel. All of this is very important information. Why rate this a 1, then? I give ratings based on my enjoyment, and this movie is really *fucking boring*. I'm generally not a fan of silent films and this was no exception. It's **three hours**.
Like  -  Dislike  -  Comment  -  600
Bradym03 says...
4 years ago
What an ugly, racist, piece of filth movie this is. It deserved to get banned as it leaves a horrible taste in my mouth of it's horrid history. The Birth of a Nation is a piece of shit.
Like  -  Dislike  -  Comment  -  000
soonertbone says...
one year ago
Griffith is the father of “can we separate the art from the artist” and for me, in this case especially, the answer is no. Certainly can appreciate the innovations, but I don’t see any reason to revisit it.
Like  -  Dislike  -  Comment  -  000

Featured User Reviews

Dleasdanach
11 years ago
When watching a film, especially one from so formative a period in cinema, it's important to view it in the context in which it was produced. Given Mr Griffith's background and the prevailing attitudes around the time he made this film, it is evident why the tone and content of the film is t More
Like  -  Dislike  -  Comment  -  400
prabhushakti
6 years ago
He achieved what no other known man has ever achieved. To watch his work is like being witness to the beginning of melody, or the first conscious use of the lever or the wheel; the emergence, coordination, and first eloquence of language; thebirth of an art: and to realize that this is all the work More
Like  -  Dislike  -  Comment  -  000

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