The Birth of a Nation
“The Fiery Cross of the Ku Klux Klan!”
Synopsis
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.
Part of the The Life of a Nation Collection
Stream the entire interconnected saga and experience every installment in chronological storyline order.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Birth of a Nation (1915) [ 4K Ultra HD ] D.W. Griffith | Lillian Gish | Full Movie
Type: Clip • Published 2022-08-20
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Lillian Gish
Stoneman's Daughter Elsie
Mae Marsh
Flora Cameron
Henry B. Walthall
Col. Ben Cameron
Miriam Cooper
Margaret Cameron
Mary Alden
Stoneman's Housekeeper Lydia
Ralph Lewis
Leader of the House Hon. Austin Stoneman
George Siegmann
Lieut. Governor Silas Lynch
Walter Long
Gus
Robert Harron
Tod
Wallace Reid
Jeff, the Blacksmith
Joseph Henabery
Abraham Lincoln
Elmer Clifton
Stoneman's Elder Son Phil
Josephine Crowell
Mrs. Cameron
Spottiswoode Aitken
Dr. Cameron
George Beranger
Wade Cameron
Maxfield Stanley
Duke Cameron
Jennie Lee
Mammy
Donald Crisp
Gen. U.S. Grant
Release History & Theatrical Window
Timeless Film Festival Warsaw
Festival / Special Debut
December 18, 1930
Wide Cinema Exhibition
July 23, 2013
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$100K
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$100M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
1000x
+$99.9M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- D.W. Griffith
- Screenplay & Story
- Frank E. Woods
- Original Score
- Jon Mirsalis, D.W. Griffith, Joseph Carl Breil, Joseph Nurnberger
- Original Title
- The Birth of a Nation
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- No Language
- Runtime
- 3h 15m
- Production Budget
- $100K
- Worldwide Gross
- $100M
- Production Studios
- Epoch Film Co., D.W. Griffith Productions, Epoch Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
D.W. Griffith
Frank E. Woods, D.W. Griffith, Thomas F. Dixon Jr.
Jon Mirsalis, D.W. Griffith, Joseph Carl Breil, Joseph Nurnberger
Joseph Carl Breil, Billy Bitzer
Joseph Henabery, James Smith, Rose Smith
H.E. Aitken, D.W. Griffith
Department Leadership Roster
Frank E. Woods
Screenplay
Joseph Carl Breil
Director of Photography
Jon Mirsalis
Original Music Composer
Billy Bitzer
Director of Photography
Joseph Henabery
Editor
James Smith
Editor
Rose Smith
Editor
Raoul Walsh
Editor
Robert Goldstein
Costume Design
Clare West
Costume Design
D.W. Griffith
Writer
D.W. Griffith
Producer
D.W. Griffith
Original Music Composer
D.W. Griffith
Editor
D.W. Griffith
Director
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
Parental Guidance Suggested.
FSK 0 — Approved without age restriction.
Universal — Suitable for all audiences.
Universal Public Exhibition — Unrestricted family viewing.
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Birth of a Nation.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Birth of a Nation.
Mid Hunting List
A list of mids found by Mid Hunters
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Birth of a Nation
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Birth of a Nation about?
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.
Who directed The Birth of a Nation?
The Birth of a Nation was directed by D.W. Griffith.
Who stars in The Birth of a Nation?
The principal cast of The Birth of a Nation includes Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh, Henry B. Walthall, Miriam Cooper, Mary Alden.
When was The Birth of a Nation released and how long is it?
The Birth of a Nation was released in 1915 with a total runtime of 3h 15m.
What was the box office and production budget of The Birth of a Nation?
The Birth of a Nation had a reported production budget of $100K and grossed $100M at the worldwide box office (1000 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for The Birth of a Nation?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Birth of a Nation was composed by Jon Mirsalis, D.W. Griffith, Joseph Carl Breil, Joseph Nurnberger.
Is The Birth of a Nation based on a book or true story?
The Birth of a Nation is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Thomas F. Dixon Jr.".
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Birth of a Nation?
The Birth of a Nation holds official age classifications: AU: PG (Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.); CA: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested.); DE: 0 (FSK 0 — Approved without age restriction.); FR: TP; GB: U (Universal — Suitable for all audiences.); IN: U (Universal Public Exhibition — Unrestricted family viewing.); US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).