Nascita di una nazione

La storia

Il sudista Ben Cameron, dopo la vittoria del Nord, fonda il Ku Klux Klan come autodifesa dei bianchi di fronte all'arroganza dei neri. Lo colpisce la tragedia del suicidio della sorella, violentata da un uomo di colore. Grazie a lui, i bianchi riprendono il controllo della situazione, dopodiché Ben potrà sposare l'amata Elsie, appartenente a una famiglia che si era schierata dalla parte dei nordisti. Sorpassato e reazionario nei contenuti, ma opera fondamentale nella storia del cinema: il linguaggio cinematografico dimostra qui di avere raggiunto piena maturità espressiva e Griffith si conquista di diritto il primato tra i padri della nuova arte.

Cast

L Lillian GishStoneman's Daughter Elsie M Mae MarshFlora Cameron H Henry B. WalthallCol. Ben Cameron M Miriam CooperMargaret Cameron M Mary AldenStoneman's Housekeeper Lydia R Ralph LewisLeader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman G George SiegmannLieut. Governor Silas Lynch W Walter LongGus R Robert HarronTod W Wallace ReidJeff, the Blacksmith J Joseph HenaberyAbraham Lincoln E Elmer CliftonStoneman's Elder Son Phil

Mostra altri interpreti

J Josephine CrowellMrs. Cameron S Spottiswoode AitkenDr. Cameron G George BerangerWade Cameron M Maxfield StanleyDuke Cameron J Jennie LeeMammy D Donald CrispGen. U.S. Grant H Howard GayeGen. Robert E. Lee S Sam De GrasseSenator Charles Sumner (uncredited) W William De VaullNelse (uncredited) W Willam FreemanJake / Sentry at Hospital (uncredited) T Tom WilsonStoneman's Servant (uncredited) F Fred BurnsKlansman (uncredited) A Allan SearsKlansman (uncredited) E Elmo LincolnBlacksmith (uncredited) M Madame Sul-Te-WanBlack Woman (uncredited) R Raoul WalshJohn Wilkes Booth (uncredited) M Monte Blue(uncredited) H Harry BrahamCameron's Male Servant (uncredited) B Bob BurnsKlan Leader (uncredited) E Edmund BurnsKlansman (uncredited) E Edward BurnsKlansman (uncredited) P Peggy CartwrightYoung Girl in Cabin (uncredited) D Dark CloudGeneral (uncredited) L Leonore CooperElsie's Maid (uncredited) C Charles Eagle EyeMan Who Falls from Roof (uncredited) J John FordKlansman (uncredited) O Olga GreyLaura Keene (uncredited) A Alberta LeeMrs. Lincoln (uncredited) B Betty MarshChild with Dr. Cameron (uncredited) D Donna MontranBelle of 1861 (uncredited) E Eugene PalletteUnion Soldier (uncredited) A Alma RubensBelle of 1861 (uncredited) C Charles StevensVolunteer (uncredited) J Jules WhiteConfederate Soldier (uncredited) V Violet WilkeyYoung Flora Cameron (uncredited) D David ButlerNorthern Soldier / Confederate Soldier (uncredited) M Mary Wynn