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Film / 1915
The Birth of a Nation
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.
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In the same saga
The Life of a Nation Collection
In release orderThis film
The Fall of a Nation
Cast
Lillian GishStoneman's Daughter Elsie
Mae MarshFlora Cameron
Henry B. WalthallCol. Ben Cameron
Miriam CooperMargaret Cameron
Mary AldenStoneman's Housekeeper Lydia
Ralph LewisLeader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman
George SiegmannLieut. Governor Silas Lynch
Walter LongGus
Robert HarronTod
Wallace ReidJeff, the Blacksmith
Joseph HenaberyAbraham Lincoln
Elmer CliftonStoneman's Elder Son Phil
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Josephine CrowellMrs. Cameron
Spottiswoode AitkenDr. Cameron
George BerangerWade Cameron
Maxfield StanleyDuke Cameron
Jennie LeeMammy
Donald CrispGen. U.S. Grant
Howard GayeGen. Robert E. Lee
Sam De GrasseSenator Charles Sumner (uncredited)
William De VaullNelse (uncredited)
Willam FreemanJake / Sentry at Hospital (uncredited)
Tom WilsonStoneman's Servant (uncredited)
Fred BurnsKlansman (uncredited)
Allan SearsKlansman (uncredited)
Elmo LincolnBlacksmith (uncredited)
Madame Sul-Te-WanBlack Woman (uncredited)
Raoul WalshJohn Wilkes Booth (uncredited)
Monte Blue(uncredited)
Harry BrahamCameron's Male Servant (uncredited)
Bob BurnsKlan Leader (uncredited)
Edmund BurnsKlansman (uncredited)
Edward BurnsKlansman (uncredited)
Peggy CartwrightYoung Girl in Cabin (uncredited)
Dark CloudGeneral (uncredited)
Leonore CooperElsie's Maid (uncredited)
Charles Eagle EyeMan Who Falls from Roof (uncredited)
John FordKlansman (uncredited)
Olga GreyLaura Keene (uncredited)
Alberta LeeMrs. Lincoln (uncredited)
Betty MarshChild with Dr. Cameron (uncredited)
Donna MontranBelle of 1861 (uncredited)
Eugene PalletteUnion Soldier (uncredited)
Alma RubensBelle of 1861 (uncredited)
Charles StevensVolunteer (uncredited)
Jules WhiteConfederate Soldier (uncredited)
Violet WilkeyYoung Flora Cameron (uncredited)
David ButlerNorthern Soldier / Confederate Soldier (uncredited)
Mary WynnMinor Role (uncredited)
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