The Birth of a Nation

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The Birth of a Nation (1915)

American silent drama.

The film chronicles the relationship of two families in the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era over the course of several years: the pro-Union Northern Stonemans and the pro-Confederacy Southern Camerons 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.

Among the many film techniques that this movie pioneered were panoramic long shots, iris effects, still shots, night photography, panning shots and the careful staging of battle scenes where hundreds of extras were made to look like thousands. It also employed color tinting for dramatic purposes and creating drama through its own musical score.

When it opened in New York City, ticket prices were $2.00 each, which was considered astronomical at the time. In modern-day currency, accounting for inflation, that would be about $17-$20. The exorbitant ticket prices greatly inflated the box office revenue of the film.

The film remains controversial due to its interpretation of American history, for its portrayal of black men, and the portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) as a heroic force.

Riots broke out in Boston and Philadelphia when the film was shown, while Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Missouri, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh and St Louis all refused to show it.

The NAACP attempted to have this film banned. After that effort failed, it then attempted to have some of the film’s more extreme scenes censored.

The release of the film inspired many African-Americans to start making their own films in an attempt to counter this film’s depiction of them and to offer positive alternative images and stories of the African-American people.

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