The Birth of a Clan

Rating: 9/10 (1 November 2007)

As the film itself states, "This is a depiction of the events of the civil war and of the formation of the Ku Klux Klan from the point of view of the American South." Let that be a warning! Still, expert motion picture making from D.W. Griffith, G.W. Bitzer, and company. This film should receive a perfect "10" -- but the aggravating and overt racist theme is sometimes worse than the actual war. The "Negro race" is, if you think about it, blamed for the Civil War -- beginning with the unbalanced opening: "The bringing of the African to America planted the first seed of disunion." The "Civil War" depicted in "Birth of a Nation" isn't over until the end of Part 2; when Confederates band together as the Ku Klux Klan, and defeat the "Negroes". In this film, the KKK wins. Part 1, by the way, is somewhat more tolerable -- but, by the end of Part 2, the film's message becomes obvious. Note that Jesus Christ makes a God-blessed-this-film appearance.
Otherwise, Lillian Gish (as Elsie Stoneman) and Henry B. Walthall (as Ben Cameron) are extraordinary in the lead roles; she represents the North, and he represents the South. The Stomeman and Cameron families' friendship and conflicts, due to the war, would have been a good, singular film focus. Of course, Mr. Walthall's character is a racist hero, but he performs the role exceptionally well. Ms. Gish is at her silent best; don't miss the scene where, after a date with Walthall, she caresses her bedpost! Second leads Elmer Clifton (as Phil Stoneman) and "daughter of the south " Miriam Cooper (as Margaret Cameron) hold their own against the powerful Gish and Walthall. Ms. Cooper has eyes which seem slightly askew in some shots, giving her an eerie quality. Josephine Crowell (as Mrs. Cameron) shines, among the more mature performers. Mae Marsh and Violet Wilkey (both as Flora Cameron) are quite memorable, also.
In a supporting role, Robert Harron (as Tod Stoneman) is at Gish-level acting; don't miss the scene with Harron embracing George Beranger (as Wade Cameron) when the "chums" expire on the battleground. Harron makes the scene especially touching. Note that Harron appears later on, in an unexpected role. Joseph Henabery is another appearing in different roles; he is most memorable as Abraham Lincoln; the assassination sequence is another film highlight, with Raoul Walsh (as John Wilkes Booth). Harron and Ms. Marsh would be even more dazzling in Griffith's next, "Intolerance" (1916). Another great scene occurs when Walthall walks unsteadily out of the hospital with Gish, while guard William Freeman gives Gish a last longing sigh. And, it's easy to see why Wallace Reid (as a blacksmith)'s search for Walter Long (as Gus), in "Joe's ginmill", was a star-making brawl.
********* The Birth of a Nation (2/8/15) D.W. Griffith ~ Lillian Gish, Henry B. Walthall, Mae Marsh, Robert Harron