The Birth of a Nation (1915): Cast
The Birth of a Nation is a 1915 historical drama directed by D.W. Griffith, starring Bob Burns as Klan Leader (uncredited), David Butler and Henry B. Walthall. It runs 3 hours 15 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 3h 15m (195 min)
- Director
- D.W. Griffith
- Studio
- Epoch Film Co.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Birth of a Nation About?
The premise of The Birth of a Nation without spoilers.
The Fiery Cross of the Ku Klux Klan! Two families—Northern abolitionists the Stonemans and Southern landowners the Camerons—become entangled. After Confederate Colonel Ben Cameron is taken prisoner, nurse Elsie Stoneman pleads for his release. In Reconstruction‑era South Carolina, Ben helps found the Ku Klux Klan, confronting Elsie’s congressman father and his African‑American protégé, Silas Lynch.
The Birth of a Nation Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- ku klux klan
- reconstruction era
- civil war
- american civil war
- 1860s
- lincoln assassination
- white supremacy
- national film registry
- racial discrimination
- racial stereotype
- banned film
- lynching
+38 more Show fewer
- washington d.c.
- pennsylvania
- south carolina
- president of the united states
- blackface
- 1870s
- family relationships
- battle
- prejudice
- race relations
- controversy
- melodrama
- racism
- blockbuster
- sexism
- based on novel
- robert e. lee character
- banned in usa
- some scenes color tinted
- appomattox courthouse
- appomattox virginia
- end of the war
- return from war
- honeymoon
- voting
- flashback
- ambush
- intimidation
- unwanted sexual advances
- revenge
- saloon
- barroom brawl
- arrest
- on the run
- siege
- firefight
- letter
- country house
The Birth of a Nation Cast & Characters
Bob Burns leads the cast as Klan Leader (uncredited), with David Butler as Northern Soldier / Confederate Soldier (uncredited) and Henry B. Walthall as Col. Ben Cameron. Directed by D.W. Griffith; 49 actors are credited in all.
- Director D.W. Griffith
- Bob Burns as Klan Leader (uncredited)
- David Butler as Northern Soldier / Confederate Soldier (uncredited)
- Henry B. Walthall as Col. Ben Cameron
- Mae Marsh as Flora Cameron
Also Starring in The Birth of a Nation
· 45 more- George Beranger Wade Cameron
- Josephine Crowell Mrs. Cameron
- Miriam Cooper Margaret Cameron
- Betty Marsh Child with Dr. Cameron (uncredited)
- Maxfield Stanley Duke Cameron
- Violet Wilkey Young Flora Cameron (uncredited)
- Lillian Gish Stoneman's Daughter Elsie
- Ralph Lewis Leader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman
- George Siegmann Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch
- John Ford Klansman (uncredited)
- Donald Crisp Gen. U.S. Grant
- Raoul Walsh John Wilkes Booth (uncredited)
- Edward Burns Klansman (uncredited)
- Jules White Confederate Soldier (uncredited)
- Tom Wilson Stoneman's Servant (uncredited)
- Eugene Pallette Union Soldier (uncredited)
Show all 49 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Robert Harron Tod
- Charles Stevens Volunteer (uncredited)
- Fred Burns Klansman (uncredited)
- Walter Long Gus
- Monte Blue
- Madame Sul-Te-Wan Black Woman (uncredited)
- Dark Cloud General (uncredited)
- Sam De Grasse Senator Charles Sumner (uncredited)
- Joseph Henabery Abraham Lincoln
- Edmund Burns Klansman (uncredited)
- Elmo Lincoln Blacksmith (uncredited)
- Wallace Reid Jeff, the Blacksmith
- Mary Alden Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia
- Spottiswoode Aitken Dr. Cameron
- Jennie Lee Mammy
- Elmer Clifton Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
- Allan Sears Klansman (uncredited)
- Alma Rubens Belle of 1861 (uncredited)
- Peggy Cartwright Young Girl in Cabin (uncredited)
- Howard Gaye Gen. Robert E. Lee
- Olga Grey Laura Keene (uncredited)
- William De Vaull Nelse (uncredited)
- Alberta Lee Mrs. Lincoln (uncredited)
- Willam Freeman Jake / Sentry at Hospital (uncredited)
- Harry Braham Cameron's Male Servant (uncredited)
- Leonore Cooper Elsie's Maid (uncredited)
- Charles Eagle Eye Man Who Falls from Roof (uncredited)
- Donna Montran Belle of 1861 (uncredited)
- Mary Wynn
More from D.W. Griffith
More films directed by D.W. Griffith, best-rated first: Intolerance, The Struggle, Abraham Lincoln and Lady of the Pavements.
The Birth of a Nation Also Known As
34 alternative titles, including “The Clansman” and “Die Geburt einer Nation”.
- Also known as
-
- The Clansman
- Die Geburt einer Nation
- En nations fødsel
- El naixement d'una nació
- Kansakunnan syntyminen
- Kansojen synty
- Ku-Klux-Klan
- Kansakunnan synty
- Amerika hőskora
- En nasjons fødsel
- Naşterea unei naţiuni
- In the Clutches of the Ku Klux Klan
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- Rodjenje nacije
- 국가의 탄생
- Η Γέννηση Ενός Έθνους
- El nacimiento de una nación
- 국가의 생성
- Birth of a Nation - Geburt einer Nation
- Nascita di una nazione
- Naissance d'une nation
- Рождение нации
- O Nascimento de Uma Nação
- Nationens födelse
- Раждането на една нация
- Narodziny narodu
- Народження нації
- Nașterea unei națiuni
- 一个国家的诞生
- Zrození národa
- Tautos gimimas
- Bir Ulusun Doğuşu
- El naixement d’una nació
- 國民の創生
- Egy nemzet születése
Seen The Birth of a Nation?
Movies Like The Birth of a Nation
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Birth of a Nation, Birth of a Movement and Birth of a Nation.
-
The Birth of a Nation 2016 -
Birth of a Movement 2017 -
Birth of a Nation 1983 -
The Klansman 1974 -
Ku Klux Klan: An American Story 2020 -
The Birth of a Race 1918 -
The Ku Klux Klan: A Secret History 1998 -
Son of the South 2021 -
Band of Angels 1957 -
Free State of Jones 2016 -
Freedom Road 1979 -
The Black Klansman 1966
The Birth of a Nation FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Birth of a Nation, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Birth of a Nation?
The Birth of a Nation runs 3 hours 15 minutes (195 minutes).
When was The Birth of a Nation released?
The Birth of a Nation was released on February 8, 1915.
Who directed The Birth of a Nation?
The Birth of a Nation was directed by D.W. Griffith.
More films by D.W. Griffith Who is in the cast of The Birth of a Nation?
The Birth of a Nation stars Bob Burns as Klan Leader (uncredited), David Butler as Northern Soldier / Confederate Soldier (uncredited) and Henry B. Walthall as Col. Ben Cameron, among 49 credited actors.
Does The Birth of a Nation have a post-credit scene?
No. The Birth of a Nation has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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