Birth of a Nation

original title:
Birth of a Nation
other titles:
The Clansman, (Die Geburt einer Nation)
country / year of production:
USA / 1915
original length:
165 min. , black/white
premiere:
8 February 1915, Los Angeles
genre:
melodrama
based on:
Thomas F. Dixon. The Clansman. New York: Doubleday, Page, 1903.
director:
David (Lewelyn) Wark Griffith
film script:
David (Lewelyn) Wark Griffith , Thomas F. Dixon Jr.
producer:
David (Lewelyn) Wark Griffith
cinematographer:
G.W. Bitzer
editor:
composer:
cast (role):
Lillian Gish (Elsie Stoneman) , Mae Marsh (Flora Cameron) , Henry B. Walthall (Colonel Ben Cameron) , Miriam Cooper (Margaret Cameron) , Mary Alden (Lydia Brown) , Lillian Gish , Mae Marsh , Henry B. Walthall , Miriam Cooper , Mary Alden
more:
Erich Stroheim, von
plot synopsis:
Two brothers, Phil and Ted Stoneman, visit their friends in Piedmont, South Carolina, the Cameron family. Their friendship is affected by the Civil War, as the Stonemans and the Camerons must join up opposite armies. The consequences of the war in their lives are shown in connection to major historical events, like the development of the Civil War itself, Lincoln's assassination, and the birth of the Ku Klux Klan.
keywords:
friends on opposite sides , racism , field hospital , family on both sides of the front
war:
American Civil War or War of Secession (1861-1865)
literature:
Robert Lang (Ed.). The Birth of a Nation. D.W. Griffith. New Braunswick: Rudgers University Press. 1994 (Rudgers Films in Print 21).

Theodore Huff. A shot analysis of D. W. Griffith's "The birth of a nation". New York: Museum of Modern Art, Film Library, 1961.
remarks:
The deciption of coloured people and the glorification of the clan led to strong reactions: in some cities civil rights activists demonstrated against the film, in other cities the film led to riots. In this sense Grifftith`s movie led to the foundation of the "National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People"´. His later film "Intolerance" can be seen as an act of redemption.

"Birth of a Nation" has sparked protests, riots, and divisiveness since its first release. Even in 1995, Turner Classic Movies cancelled a showing of a restored print in the wake of the racial tensions around the O.J. Simpson trial verdict.
availability:
VHS, DVD