The Birth of a Nation (1915) movie poster

The Birth of a Nation (1915)

"The Fiery Cross of the Ku Klux Klan!"
ThumbScore
👍 31%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
🎬 91% (RT: 91%) ℹ️RT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
DramaHistoryWar

Where to Watch

Streaming
YouTube TV
Director
D.W. Griffith
Runtime
3h 15m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
5.9/10 (579 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
Cast
Lillian Gish as Stoneman's Daughter Elsie
Mae Marsh as Flora Cameron
Henry B. Walthall as Col. Ben Cameron
Miriam Cooper as Margaret Cameron
Mary Alden as Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia
Ralph Lewis as Leader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman
George Siegmann as Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch
Audiences say no. Just 31% of audiences liked it based on 579 votes. Critics rated it higher at 91%, but audiences were less impressed.
Overview
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. Wikipedia ↗
Fun Facts
  • D.W. Griffith cited several classic drama films as the primary inspiration for the visual style.
  • The initial cut of The Birth of a Nation was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
  • Many of the background extras were actually locals from the filming locations.
Audience Consensus

The Birth of a Nation is a 1915 drama, history, war film directed by D.W. Griffith. 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. The film has been rated by 579 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers.

As a drama film, The Birth of a Nation delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. The Birth of a Nation (1915) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape.

The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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