The Birth of a Nation [Deluxe Edition] [3 Discs]

The Birth of a Nation [Deluxe Edition] [3 Discs]

 Cast: Henry B. Walthall
Henry B. Walthall
, Lillian Gish
Lillian Gish
, Mae Marsh
Mae Marsh
, Miriam Cooper
Miriam Cooper
, Mary Alden
Mary Alden
The Birth of a Nation [Deluxe Edition] [3 Discs]

The Birth of a Nation [Deluxe Edition] [3 Discs]

 Cast: Henry B. Walthall
Henry B. Walthall
, Lillian Gish
Lillian Gish
, Mae Marsh
Mae Marsh
, Miriam Cooper
Miriam Cooper
, Mary Alden
Mary Alden

DVD (Special Edition)

$29.99 
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Overview

Almost a century after its release, The Birth of a Nation remains one of the most controversial films ever made... a landmark achievement of filmmaking that undeniably demonstrates the deep roots of America's racist history. The film tells the epic story of two families, one Northern and one Southern, during and after the Civil War. D.W. Griffith’s masterful direction combines brilliant battle scenes and tender romance with a viciously bigoted portrayal of African Americans. Upon its release, it was the biggest feature-length blockbuster yet to be produced in the United States, and the first to be shown in the White House. After seeing the film, President Woodrow Wilson, who was known for being extremely racist even by the standards of his time, declared it was "like writing history with lightning!" In cities and states across the country, the film energized the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which fought to have the film banned, or at least the most gruesome scenes censored. The film also inspired African Americans to move into filmmaking as a way to offer alternative images and stories, as demonstrated in our Pioneers of African-American Cinema box set.

This film contains racism and/or the mistreatment of people or cultures. Such depictions, in any era, are inexcusable. The film is being presented in its original form to bear witness to the history of racism in cinema, and to encourage a dialogue about how a future cinema can become more inclusive.

Product Details

Release Date: 11/22/2011
UPC: 0738329083427
Original Release: 1915
Source: Kino Lorber
Sound: [Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language: English
Time: 3:12:00
Sales rank: 42,514

Special Features

Disc 1 - Music by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra (2011), in 2.0 Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1; ; Spoken Introduction by D.W. Griffith and Walter Huston (including the newly rediscovered intermission sequence); ; Disc 2 - The Birth of a Nation, restored by David Shepard of Film Preservation Associates in 1993; Orchestral score adapted in 1993 from the original Score by Joseph Carl Breil, in 2.0 Stereo; ; "The Making of The Birth of a Nation" (24 min.) Produced by David Shepard; Compiled and Written by Russell Merritt; ; Disc 3 - Civil War shorts Directed by D.W. Griffith: (Music by Jon C. Mirsalis unless indicated); ; In the Border States (1910, 16 min.); The House With Closed Shutters (1910, 17 Min.); The Fugitive (1910, 17 min.); His Trust (1910, 14 min.) Courtesy of David Shepard; Musical setting compiled and arranged by Robert Israel; Performed by the Biograph Quartet; ; His Trust Fulfilled (1910, 11 min.); Swords and Hearts (1911, 16 min.); The Battle (1911, 17 min.); ; "New York vs. The Birth of a Nation" Archival documents pertaining to be censorship battles over the film's 1922 re-release; ; Excerpts from souvenir program books

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Henry B. Walthall Col. Ben Cameron
Lillian Gish Elsie
Mae Marsh Flora Cameron
Miriam Cooper Margaret Cameron
Mary Alden Lydia
Ralph Lewis Hon. Austin Stoneman
George Seigmann Silas Lynch
Walter Long Gus
Robert Harron Tod
Wallace Reid Jeff, the Blacksmith
Joseph Henabery Abraham Lincoln
Elmer Clifton Phil, Stoneman's Elder Son
Josephine Crowell Mrs. Cameron
Spottiswoode Aitken Dr. Cameron,Dr. Cameron
Andre Beringer Wade Cameron, Second Son
Maxfield Stanley Duke Cameron, Youngest Son
Jennie Lee Mammy, the Faithful Servant,Mrs. Lincoln
Donald Crisp Gen. U.S. Grant
Howard Gaye Gen. Robert E. Lee
Sam De Grasse Sen. Charles Sumner
Raoul Walsh John Wilkes Booth
Elmo Lincoln White Arm Joe
Olga Grey Laura Keene
Eugene Pallette Wounded Enemy to Whom Ben Gives Succor
Bessie Love Piedmont girl
William de Vaull Jake
Tom Wilson Stoneman's Negro Servant
George Siegmann Actor
Monte Blue Actor
Joseph Henaberry Abraham Lincoln
Jennifer Lee Cindy, The Faithful Mummy
Mme. Wan Actor
Charles Stevens Volunteer
Erich von Stroheim Man who falls from Roof
Violet Wilkey Flora as a child
Gibson Gowland Actor
William Freeman Sentry
John Ford Klansman
Aitken Spottiswoode Actor
The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra Composer
D.W. Griffith Composer

Technical Credits
D.W. Griffith Director,Producer,Screenwriter
Frank E. Woods Screenwriter,Screenwriter
Thomas F. Dixen Screenwriter
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