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The Birth of a Nation

1915·US
Director: D.W. Griffith
HistoryDramaWar
Spotlight: Lillian Gish

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.

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.

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Cast

Lillian Gish

Lillian Gish

Stoneman's Daughter Elsie

Mae Marsh

Mae Marsh

Flora Cameron

Henry B. Walthall

Henry B. Walthall

Col. Ben Cameron

Miriam Cooper

Miriam Cooper

Margaret Cameron

Mary Alden

Mary Alden

Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia

Ralph Lewis

Ralph Lewis

Leader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman

George Siegmann

George Siegmann

Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch

Walter Long

Walter Long

Gus

Robert Harron

Robert Harron

Tod

Wallace Reid

Wallace Reid

Jeff, the Blacksmith

Joseph Henabery

Joseph Henabery

Abraham Lincoln

Elmer Clifton

Elmer Clifton

Stoneman's Elder Son Phil

Josephine Crowell

Josephine Crowell

Mrs. Cameron

Spottiswoode Aitken

Spottiswoode Aitken

Dr. Cameron

George Beranger

George Beranger

Wade Cameron

Crew

Joseph Carl Breil

cinematographer

D.W. Griffith

writer

Jon Mirsalis

composer

Billy Bitzer

cinematographer

Frank E. Woods

writer

D.W. Griffith

composer

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